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Kilometer

Kilometer is a unit used to measure length or distance. It is a unit used in metric system. The distance can also be measured in miles, which can be expressed in terms of kilometer. Though miles and kilometers represent the same quantity, their value differs. In this chapter we will also find the relation between kilometer and many units like, miles, meters, centimeters, feet, milimeters. Stay tuned to learn more about kilometers!

1. Definition of Kilometer
2.  Kilometers and Miles
3. Distance Conversions
4. Solved Examples on Kilometer
5. Practice Questions on Kilometer
6. FAQs on Kilometer

Definition of Kilometer

Kilometer is a unit of the metric system mainly used to express a distance. The abbreviation of kilometer is km. It is a unit of the International System of Units (SI units). Examples: Some examples of distances in kilometers are, the distance from one city to another city, the distance of a runway, the distance you would cover while taking a walk can also be measured using km.

Kilometers and Miles

As per the kilometer definition, km is used to express the distance as an SI unit. A mile is a unit followed in the United States for measuring distance. The metric unit followed in the United States is called the "United States Customary Units (USCS)". Even though kilometers and miles are used for measuring the same unit (distance), the value differs. Although kilometer is not a unit of the American metric system (USCS), it is frequently used in the field of science, medicine, and military forces.

Distance Conversions

Conversion is needed wherever long distances are measured. In this section, we will learn the relation between kilometers and other units of distance like, meters, centimeters, millimeters, miles and feet. We will also learn how to convert other units to kilometers too.

Kilometer to Meters

Meter is a SI unit of distance. It is abbreviated as m. The relation between kilometer and meters is given as, 1 kilometer (km) = 1,000 meters (m). 

Kilometer to Centimeters

As meter can be expressed in centimeters as, 1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters(cm). Thus, the relation between kilometer and centimeters is given as, 1 kilometer (km) = 1000 × 100 = 1,00,000 centimeters (cm).

Kilometer to Millimeters

As centimeters can be expressed in millimeters as, 1 centimeter (m) = 10 millimeters(mm). Thus, the relation between kilometer and millimeters is given as, 1 kilometer (km) = 1,00,000 × 10 = 1,000,000 millimeters (mm).Converting Kilometer into meters, centimeters and millimeters

Similarly, it is possible to convert kilometer to USCS units, miles and feet.

Kilometer to Miles

Miles is the USCS unit mainly used to indicate distance. It is abbreviated as "mi". The relation between kilometer and miles is given as, 1 km = 0.62137 mi.

Kilometer to Feet

Feet is also the USCS mainly unit to indicate length. The singular unit for feet is given as foot. It is abbreviated as "ft". The relation between kilometer and feet is, 1 km = 3,280.84 ft.

Converting Kilometer into miles and feet

Now, that we have learned to convert kilometers to the units like meters, centimeters, millimeters, miles, and feet. Let us try converting these to kilometers.

Converting SI units and USCS units to Kilometer

Topics Related to Kilometer

 

Important Topics
 
Measuring Length
 

Solved Examples on Kilometer

 

  1. Example 1: Mia wants to measure the distance between her school and her home. Help Mia choose the right type of measurement.
    a. Kilometer     b. Gallons        c. Pounds
    Solution: a. Kilometer is the right choice.
    As Kilometer is a unit of distance while Gallons and Pounds are units of measurement of volume and mass respectively, the option (a) is the right choice.

  2. Example 2: Anna ran the same distance every day for 5 days. She covered 5 km in 5 days. How many meters did Anna run per day?
    Solution: As we know, 1 km = 1000 m.
    Hence, 5 km = 5000 m
    To find the meters she ran per day, we have to divide 5000 m by 5, \(\dfrac{5000}{5}\) m = 1000 m
    Therefore, Anna ran 1000 m per day.
  3. Example 3: A blackboard in a classroom is about half a kilometer long. What is the length of the blackboard in cm?
    Solution: As we know, 1 km = 1,00,000 cm.
    Hence, length of half a kilometer long blackboard is \(\dfrac{1}{2}\) km = \(\dfrac{100000}{2}\)cm
    Therefore, the blackboard is 50,000 cm long.
  4. Example 4: Ruth plans to visit a nearby hospital for her annual medical examination. She finds a hospital 6 km away from her house. How many miles does Ruth have to travel to reach her destination?
    Solution: We know that, 1 km = 0.62137 mi.
    Ruth must travel 6 km to reach the hospital.
    6 km = 6 × 0.62137 = 3.728 miles
    Therefore, Ruth has to travel 3.728 miles to reach the hospital.
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