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Conversion is easier in the metric system because the metric system uses increments which are represented in different powers of 10. That means they are all multiples of 10. And all we have to do to convert in metrics is just move the decimal point the correct number of places to the left or right to make the conversion. To convert 10 centimeters to millimeters, we multiply by 10 - or just move the decimal to the right one place to get 100 millimeters. Piece of cake. In the English system, it isn't that simple. You know that 5280 feet = 1 mile, and 1 yard = 3 feet, but how many yards are in a mile? It is possible to "work it in your head" to get 1760 yards = 1 mile, but conversion isn't nearly as easy here as in the metric system. Simplified: Metric always uses a base of 10, thus converting from any metric measure of distance to any other metric measure of distance is done simply by adjusting zeroes. The English system uses no common base, thus the math involved in converting between formats, is more complicated.

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15y ago
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16y ago

That is excatly why some countries made the metric system standard, it is EASIER!! their is no decimals - example

1 kilometer = 1000 meters EASY!

1 kilometer = 1.3265955 miles NOT SO EASY!!

1=1000 : 1000=1

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14y ago

The Meters to kilometers conversion is easier.

It is easier to divide by 1000 by moving the decimal three places to the left (meters to kilometers) than it is to multiply by 36.

For example

Convert 5000 meters to kilometers... 5000 / 1000 = 5 ... easy.

Convert 5000 yards to inches... 5000 x 36 = .... many people would need a calculator at this point, therefore it is harder.

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12y ago

To convert units in the metric system is simple because you only need to multiply or divide by a power of ten. Converting inches to feet and vice versa is less convenient most of the time.

For example, to convert 50 centimeters into meters, you need only divide by 100 (1m = 100cm). So 50cm = .5m

Now to convert 50 inches into feet, you need to divide by twelve. (1 ft = 12 inches)

So 50/12 ~ 4.17 ft 50in = 4.17 ft.

Using the metric system simplifies calculations, especially when the numbers are bigger and multiple unit conversions are required.

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11y ago

Meters, centimeters and millimeters are units of length in the Metric System, as are liters and grams for volume and weight. Since all units are based upon a system of 10's, all one has to do to convert one unit to another is move the decimal either right or left, depending on the degree of conversion. The American system, on the other hand, uses different degrees of conversion depending upon the system. Gallons, Cubic inches or feet and pounds are such units. As to your question, for example, there are 12 inches to a foot and 3 feet to a yard. 5,280 feet equals one mile, a quart is 1/4 of a gallon. Obviously, one must know conversion numbers that have seemingly no rhyme or reason for their numbers. The American system, therefore, is much more difficult to convert than is the Metric system of tens

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12y ago

1 kilometer = 1,000 meters

1 meter = 100 centimeters

1 kilometer = 100,000 centimeters

1 centimeter = 10 millimeters

1 meter = 1,000 millimeters

1 kilometer = 1,000,000 millimeters

1 mile = 1,760 yards

1 yard = 3 feet

1 mile = 5,280 feet

1 foot = 12 inches

1 yard = 36 inches

1 mile = 63,360 inches

Which system looks more appealing to you ?

Easier to learn ?

Easier to use ?

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15y ago

because the metric system is based on power of ten. for example, ten millimeters equals a centimeter, ten centimeters equals a decimeter, ten decimeters equals a meter, and so and so forth.

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9y ago

Actually, they are both equally easy:

Feet x 12 = inches

Meters x 100 = centimeters

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8y ago

Some people think it is easier to multiply and divide by powers of ten than by 3, 12 or 36.

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Q: Why is it easier to convert meters to centimeters or millimeters than it is to change yards to feet or inches?
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Why is it easier to convert centimeters to kilometers?

To convert cm to km , divide by 100000. km is bigger quantity.


Is 30 centimeters bigger than 200 millimeters?

Yes 12 cm = 120 mm 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters 1 millimeter = 0.1 centimeter


Is it easier to convert from one unit to another using everyday units or using SI units?

It's much easier to convert units in the SI system.Don't look now, but the SI system is the "everyday" systemin virtually the whole world outside the USA.


Why was the metric system created and how has this change helped scientific research?

Before the metric system was created, previous systems of measurement we complicated to use because one unit had to convert into another unit by a wide variety of numbers (there are 2 pints in a quart, 4 quarts in a gallon, etc.) whereas in the metric system, all conversion are done in multiples of ten (ten times ten centimeters in a meter, etc.) which makes the mathematics much easier.


Why is it easier to convert units int the meteric system then to convert units in English system?

Because the metric system is based on steps of 10 while the imperial system is completely random. For example: From milimeters to centimeters you multiply by 10. From meters to kilometers you multiply by 1000 ( *10 for decameters, *10 for hectometers, *10 for kilometers: 10*10*10=1000) From feet to yards you multiply by 3. From yards to miles you multiply by 1760. This makes convertering numbers in metric way easier than imperial... you just add or detract zeros.

Related questions

Why is it easier to convert meters to centimeters or millimeters?

cm --> mm is based on the metric system, which is in intervals of 10. This is easier than converting from who knows what from feet --> in. etc. (metric system is easier)


Why is it easier to convert meter to centimeters?

m x 100 = cm


Why is it easier to convert centimeters to kilometers?

To convert cm to km , divide by 100000. km is bigger quantity.


Is there an easier way to understand subtracting fractions with a different denominator?

Easier than what? The common way to do this is to convert the fractions to the same denominator. Conceptually, this is very simple to understand. As an analogy, you can't directly add meters and centimeters, but once you convert meters to centimeters, you can add everything together.Easier than what? The common way to do this is to convert the fractions to the same denominator. Conceptually, this is very simple to understand. As an analogy, you can't directly add meters and centimeters, but once you convert meters to centimeters, you can add everything together.Easier than what? The common way to do this is to convert the fractions to the same denominator. Conceptually, this is very simple to understand. As an analogy, you can't directly add meters and centimeters, but once you convert meters to centimeters, you can add everything together.Easier than what? The common way to do this is to convert the fractions to the same denominator. Conceptually, this is very simple to understand. As an analogy, you can't directly add meters and centimeters, but once you convert meters to centimeters, you can add everything together.


Is it easier to measure a table in centimeters or decimeters?

Centimeters


18 centiliters is equal to how many milliliters?

18 centiliters=180 millileters. This is because ceti is 100, and milli 1000, (you can hear that if you know some basic french). Might be easier to think centimeters and millimeters if you are confused.


How many millimeters does it take make a meter?

there are a thousand millimeters in a meter An easier way to do this would be to break it down first. we know that there are 100 centimeters in a meter. we also know that there are 10 millimeters in a centimeter. so 10(millimeters in a centimeter) x(times) 100(centimeters in a meter) ...10x100=1000 one thousand millimeters in a meter :) ++++ :(. That is NOT the easier way! Learn what the prefixes mean, instead. The prefix tells you the multiplier, so 'milli' means one-thousandth therefore to turn metres to millimetres multiply them by 1000. You do NOT break a simple, linear conversion into intermediate steps because that makes additional, extra work and increases the risk of error. You may need to use intermediate steps for more unwieldy calculations involving mixed dimensions, but for straight linear conversions just use the prefix-value directly.


How many meters are in 160 centimeters?

1.6 meters the same thing but easier is 1 meter and 60 centimeters.


Why decimals greater than 1 become improper fractions when converted?

When you convert a decimal greater than 1 into a fraction its easier to change it into a mixed number first. Then change it into an improper fraction.


Which is easier to reverse chemical or a physical change?

It is easier to reverse a physical change.


Can you ski with 10 centimeters of snow?

It would probably be easier to use skis.


How to change from inch to cm?

To change a distance in inches to the same distance in centimeters, you have a choice of two methods. They both give the same answer, and you can use whichever one seems easier. -- Divide the number of inches by 0.3937 -- Multiply the number of inches by 2.54 .