When converting 5.0 kilometers to meters using the metric table, which mathematical operation should be used?

• A. Multiply by 1,000
• B. Divide by 1,000
• C. Subtract 1,000
• D. Add 1,000

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the relationship between kilometers and meters. Since 1 kilometer equals 1,000 meters, the conversion factor is 1,000 meters per kilometer.
2. Set up the conversion by expressing the given value in kilometers and the conversion factor as a fraction: \$5.0\ \text{km} \times \frac{1000\ \text{m}}{1\ \text{km}}$.
3. Notice that the unit 'kilometers' cancels out, leaving the result in meters.
4. Determine the mathematical operation needed to convert kilometers to meters. Since 1 kilometer is larger than 1 meter, you multiply the number of kilometers by 1,000 to get the equivalent meters.
5. Perform the multiplication to find the value in meters (though the problem only asks for the operation, not the final number).