5th Grade Math : Measurement

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 5th Grade Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #9 : 5th Grade Math

How many \(\displaystyle \textup { centimeters}\) are in \(\displaystyle 5\textup { meters?}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5\textup,000\textup { centimeters}\)

\(\displaystyle 5\textup { centimeters}\)

\(\displaystyle 500\textup { centimeters}\)

\(\displaystyle 50\textup { centimeters}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 500\textup { centimeters}\)

Explanation:

To solve this problem we can make proportions.

We know that \(\displaystyle 1\ centimeter= .01\ meters\) and we can use \(\displaystyle x\) as our unknown. 

\(\displaystyle \frac{1\ centimeter}{.01\ meter}=\frac{x\ centimeters}{5\ meters}\)

Next, we want to cross multiply and divide to isolate the  on one side. 

\(\displaystyle 1\ centimeter\times 5\ meters=.01\ meter\times x\ centimeters\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1\ centimeter\times 5\ meters}{.01\ meter}= x\ centimeters\)

The \(\displaystyle meters\) will cancel and we are left with \(\displaystyle 500\ centimeters\)

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