Conversion and Dimensional Analysis?

Question

Ok, so I am totally lost on this type of problem as well (I have posted another question involving dimensional analysis).
The question states:

A typical normal loss of water through sweating per day for a human is 4/5dL. What is the volume, in liters, of sweat produced per day?

First, I need to say that I have do not have ANY background in chemistry at all, and I am supposedly taken an 'introductory' course in chemistry. My professor assumes that I know difference between metric and english measurements (and I don't, as none of my high schools touched the subject), so I am already lost, in that respect.

Secondly, I don't even know what dL could stand for? I know the mL is milliliter, cm is centimeter, etc.; but I am completely clueless to dL.
How do I even go about a problem like this? Is this involved in fractions/canceling out of units of measurement or what? I am not asking for a final answer, just a baseline to start out the problem; help me understand the process..

Answer 1

Reb is right, but he forgot you need to work with the dimenional analysis. The equality is 0.1 L = 1 dL, which can be arranged to give 0.1 L / 1 dL = 1.
Given 4/5 dL, we can multiply that by 0.1 L / 1 dL (which is 1) to get 4/5 dL * 0.1 L / 1 dL.
The unit dL is in both the numerator and the denomiator and can be cancelled out, leaving 4 / 5 * 0.1 L, or 0.08 L.

Answer 2

A dl is a deciliter, or 1/10 of a liter.

So if the loss of water is 4/5 of a deciliter, just mulitply by 0.1 liters and you have your answer

Answer 3

All your answers are correct. Good work.