Example

Converting 10 Kilometers to Meters Using a Conversion Factor

To determine how many meters are in a 1010-kilometer race, apply the conversion factor 1,000 meters1 kilometer\frac{1{,}000 \text{ meters}}{1 \text{ kilometer}}, which equals 11 because 11 kilometer =1,000= 1{,}000 meters.

  1. Start with the given measurement: 10 km10 \text{ km}.
  2. Multiply by 11: 10 km×110 \text{ km} \times 1.
  3. Write 11 as a conversion factor relating kilometers and meters: 10 km×1,000 m1 km10 \text{ km} \times \frac{1{,}000 \text{ m}}{1 \text{ km}}.
  4. Cancel the matching unit: The "km" in the numerator and denominator divide out, leaving only meters.
  5. Multiply: 10×1,000=10,000 m10 \times 1{,}000 = 10{,}000 \text{ m}.

Therefore 1010 km =10,000= 10{,}000 meters. This example applies the same dimensional-analysis technique used for US customary conversions, but within the metric system, where the conversion factor is a power of 1010.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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