📏 Measurement Conversions

The metric system uses powers of 10 for all conversions — making them easy with multiplication and division.
Key Conversions for Length:
• 1 km = 1,000 m (multiply by 1,000 to convert km to m)
• 1 m = 100 cm (multiply by 100 to convert m to cm)
• 1 km = 1,00,000 cm

Converting from larger to smaller unit: MULTIPLY.
Converting from smaller to larger unit: DIVIDE.
Memory trick: King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk — Kilo, Hecto, Deca, Base, Deci, Centi, Milli.

Weight (Mass):
1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)
Capacity:
1 litre (L) = 1,000 millilitres (mL)
Both use the same conversion factor: x 1,000 for the larger-to-smaller direction.
In Indian context: a bag of sugar = 1 kg = 1,000 g. A large water bottle = 1 L = 1,000 mL.

Time conversions do NOT follow powers of 10 — so we must memorize these relationships:
• 1 hour = 60 minutes
• 1 minute = 60 seconds
• 1 day = 24 hours
• 1 week = 7 days

To convert hours to minutes: multiply by 60.
To convert minutes to hours: divide by 60.
For elapsed time (how long something took): convert start and end to the same unit, then subtract.

Many real-life problems combine different units or require multiple steps. Always:
• Step 1: Identify the units given and the unit needed
• Step 2: Convert all measurements to the same unit
• Step 3: Perform the required calculation
• Step 4: Express answer in appropriate unit

Common mistakes to avoid: forgetting to convert before adding, mixing up kg and g in the same calculation.