Question

Which is bigger, 536 cm or 53.6 dm?

Answer 1

They are equal, just given in different units.

`53.6 dm = 536 cm`

Explanation:

In the metric system units are connected by powers of 10.

The order of the units from biggest to smallest is

`Km" "Hm" "Dm" "m" "dm" "cm" "mm`

`1m = 10 dm = 100cm = 1000mm`

Or: `10 mm = 1 cm" and "10 cm = 1 dm " and "10 dm = 1 m`

`5360 mm = 536 cm = 53.6 dm = 5.36 m`

If you change to a bigger unit, the number gets smaller.
If you changer to a smaller unit, the number gets bigger.

Each time you change from one unit to next you multiply or divide by 10, depending on whether you are going to a smaller or bigger unit.