To determine which pair of measurements Yuri might be converting by moving the decimal point three units to the left, we need to consider how the metric system works. Moving the decimal point three units to the left indicates that you are changing from a larger unit to a smaller unit.
Here are the relationships for the metric units:
- 1 kiloliter (kL) = 1,000 liters (L)
- 1 hectoliter (hL) = 100 liters (L)
- 1 dekaliter (daL) = 10 liters (L)
- 1 liter (L) = 10 deciliters (dL) = 100 centiliters (cL) = 1,000 milliliters (mL)
If Yuri moves the decimal point three units to the left, he is converting:
- From kiloliters (kL) to liters (L)
For example, if he had 3 kL and moved the decimal three places to the left, it would become 0.003 L, which is equivalent to 3,000 L since he is converting to a smaller unit (liters).
Let’s consider the pairs provided in the options:
- kiloliters to liters – Yes, this conversion would mean moving the decimal three places to the left.
- centiliters to hectoliters – This doesn’t apply, as moving from a smaller unit (centiliter) to a larger unit (hectoliter) would mean moving the decimal to the right.
- liters to deciliters – This is a conversion from a larger unit to a smaller unit (moving the decimal one place to the right), not three places to the left.
- deciliters to hectoliters – This is a conversion from a smaller unit to a larger unit, moving the decimal to the left but not three places.
The correct answer is: kiloliters to liters.