When converting 1,000 mg to 1 gram, how many places must you move the decimal point to the left?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 4
• D. 3

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the relationship between milligrams (mg) and grams (g). Since 1 gram equals 1000 milligrams, the conversion factor is \$1\, \text{g} = 1000\, \text{mg}$.
2. Express 1000 mg in terms of grams by dividing by 1000: \$1000\, \text{mg} \times \frac{1\, \text{g}}{1000\, \text{mg}}$.
3. Recognize that dividing by 1000 is equivalent to moving the decimal point 3 places to the left because 1000 has three zeros.
4. Apply this to the number 1000: moving the decimal point 3 places to the left changes 1000 to 1.000, which equals 1 gram.
5. Conclude that to convert from milligrams to grams, you must move the decimal point 3 places to the left.