When we need to measure the height of a person, the size of a table, buy a pipe or iron bar among other objects, we use length measurements. The most used measure of length is the meter, but there are others that are used according to the length we want to measure. Some measures of length are greater and others less than the meter.
The decameter (dam), hectometer (hm) and kilometer (km) are larger than the meter, and are classified as multiples of the meter.
The decimeter (dm), centimeter (cm) and millimeter (mm) are smaller than the meter, and are classified as submultiples of the meter.
The meter is considered the measure of referential length. Note the relationship shown in the table:
We use the kilometer to measure distances between cities, states or countries. The meter is used to express heights of people, lengths, widths, heights of buildings and trees. The centimeter is widely used to measure distances on maps, table sizes and household objects. The millimeter is used for measuring screws and very small objects.
by Mark Noah
Mathematical
Kids School Team
