Convert 12cm to dm: Basic Unit Conversion Problem

Q: Why do I divide by 10 instead of multiply?

Because you're converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit! Since 1 decimeter contains 10 centimeters, you need fewer decimeters than centimeters to measure the same length.

Q: How can I remember the conversion?

Think of it like money: 10 pennies = 1 dime. Similarly, 10 centimeters = 1 decimeter. The prefix 'deci' means one-tenth!

Q: What if I get a decimal answer?

Decimal answers are completely normal in unit conversions! $ 1.2 \text{ dm} $ means 1 whole decimeter plus 2 tenths of another decimeter.

Q: What's the difference between cm and dm?

Centimeter (cm): Small unit, about width of your fingernailDecimeter (dm): Larger unit, about width of your hand1 decimeter = 10 centimeters always!

Unit Conversion with Metric Length

$12cm=?dm$

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Understand the problem

$12cm=?dm$

Step-by-step solution

To convert centimeters to decimeters, we'll follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify the given information, which is that we have 12 centimeters to convert.
Step 2: Recall the conversion relationship: $1 \text{ dm} = 10 \text{ cm}$ .
Step 3: Perform the conversion by dividing the number of centimeters by 10. Thus, the calculation is $12 \div 10 = 1.2$ .

Performing the calculation, we find $12 \text{ cm} = 1.2 \text{ dm}$ .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is $1.2 \text{ dm}$ .

Final Answer

$1.2$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Conversion Rule: 1 decimeter equals 10 centimeters exactly
Technique: Divide centimeters by 10: $12 \div 10 = 1.2$
Check: Multiply answer by 10: $1.2 \times 10 = 12 \text{ cm}$ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Multiplying by 10 instead of dividing
Don't multiply 12 by 10 to get 120 dm! This makes the unit larger when converting to a bigger unit. Always divide by 10 when converting centimeters to decimeters since 1 dm = 10 cm.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$$ 291cm^2=?m^2 $$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I divide by 10 instead of multiply?

Because you're converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit! Since 1 decimeter contains 10 centimeters, you need fewer decimeters than centimeters to measure the same length.

How can I remember the conversion?

Think of it like money: 10 pennies = 1 dime. Similarly, 10 centimeters = 1 decimeter. The prefix 'deci' means one-tenth!

What if I get a decimal answer?

Decimal answers are completely normal in unit conversions! $1.2 \text{ dm}$ means 1 whole decimeter plus 2 tenths of another decimeter.

Can I check my answer?

Yes! Convert back: multiply your decimeter answer by 10. If you get your original centimeter measurement, you're correct: $1.2 \times 10 = 12 \text{ cm}$ ✓

What's the difference between cm and dm?

Centimeter (cm): Small unit, about width of your fingernail
Decimeter (dm): Larger unit, about width of your hand

1 decimeter = 10 centimeters always!

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