How do you do metric equations?

Question

Isn't it move the decimal to the right and multiply by 2.3? I can't remember. My little sister wants help on her homework and I haven't done that since like the seventh grade.

I.E.

14km-4,039m=

Answer 1

convert km to m
1km = 1000
so 14km = 14000m

14000m - 4039m = 9961m

Answer 2

In metric, there's none of this 2.3 business. It's as easy as multiplying by tens.

Think of what a kilo is. It's a thousand. So substitute kilo for thousand and 14 kilometres becomes 14 thousand metres.

Now you have 14 000 m - 4 039 m which equals 9 961 m.

As a side note, it's not good practice to include commas to separate digits in metric since it's a universal system and in many countries the comma is a decimal place. The common standard is a space to separate groups of three digits.

Answer 3

Nope, you just move the decimal.
deci> cent> milli>
You start from the SI prefix, and count the prefixes to the one you want, that indicates how many decimal moves you make. Don't count the one you started on.
IE:
14km-->?m
kilometer>1hectometer>2dekameter>3meter
decimal hops 3 to the right
14,000m

Answer 4

Work in a common unit, either mm, cm , m or km. To change into a larger unit, you divide by moving the decimal point to the left. To change into a smaller unit you multiply by moving the decimal point to the right.