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1 centimeter (cm) = 0.0109361 yard (yd). Centimeter (cm) is a unit of Length used in Metric system. Yard (yd) is a unit of Length used in Standard system.

Centimeter: A Unit of Length Used in the Metric System

The centimeter (cm) is a unit of length in the metric system, which is the most widely used system of measurement in the world. The centimeter is equal to one hundredth of a meter, which is the SI base unit of length. The centimeter is also a derived unit in the International System of Units (SI), which is the official system of measurement for science and engineering. The symbol for centimeter is cm. The centimeter is used for measuring small distances and dimensions, such as the width of a fingernail or the diameter of a coin. The centimeter is also used for measuring areas and volumes, such as the area of a sheet of paper or the volume of a water bottle. The centimeter is named after the centi prefix, which means one hundredth in Latin. In this article, we will explore the definition, history, usage and conversion of the centimeter as a unit of length.

Definition of the Centimeter

The centimeter is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a meter. It is defined as 1/100 meters. The meter is defined as the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299792458 seconds.

The definition of the centimeter has not changed since its introduction by the French Academy of Sciences in 1795, as part of the decimal metric system that was adopted after the French Revolution. However, the definition of the meter has changed several times over time, as different standards and methods of measurement were developed by various countries and organizations. The current definition of the meter as based on the speed of light was agreed upon by an international treaty in 1983.

History of the Centimeter

The origin of the centimeter as a unit of length can be traced back to 1795, when the French Academy of Sciences proposed a new system of measurement that was based on decimal fractions and natural constants. The system was called the metric system, and it was intended to replace the old and diverse systems of measurement that were used in France and other countries at that time. The metric system was designed to be simple, universal and rational.

The base unit of length in the metric system was the meter, which was defined as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole along a meridian through Paris. The meter was divided into ten decimeters, each decimeter into ten centimeters, and each centimeter into ten millimeters. The prefixes deci, centi and milli indicated that they were one tenth, one hundredth and one thousandth of a meter respectively.

The metric system was officially adopted by France in 1799, and gradually spread to other countries over the next century. In 1875, an international treaty called the Metre Convention was signed by 17 countries to establish a common standard for measuring length and mass. The treaty also established an international organization called the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) to maintain and improve the metric system.

In 1889, a new standard for the meter was created by using a platinum-iridium bar that was kept at BIPM. This bar was called the International Prototype Metre, and it was divided into ten equal parts to make standard centimeters. The bar was also compared with other national standards to ensure accuracy and consistency.

In 1960, an international conference called the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) adopted a new system of measurement called the International System of Units (SI), which was based on seven base units that could be derived from physical constants. The meter was redefined as 1,650,763.73 wavelengths of light emitted by a krypton-86 atom in a vacuum. The centimeter remained as a derived unit in SI, but it was no longer recommended for use in scientific and technical fields.

In 1983, another CGPM conference redefined the meter again as the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299792458 seconds. This definition was based on the speed of light, which is a universal constant that can be measured with high precision. The centimeter also changed accordingly to reflect this new definition.

Usage of the Centimeter

The centimeter is a unit of length that is used for measuring small distances and dimensions, such as the width of a fingernail or the diameter of a coin. The centimeter is also used for measuring areas and volumes, such as the area of a sheet of paper or the volume of a water bottle.

The centimeter is widely used in everyday life, especially in countries that follow the metric system. Some examples are:

• Measuring clothing sizes and body measurements.
• Measuring furniture dimensions and room sizes.
• Measuring paper sizes and formats.
• Measuring screen sizes and resolutions.
• Measuring rainfall amounts and snow depths.
• Measuring map scales and distances.

The centimeter is also used in some scientific and technical fields, such as:

• Measuring wavelengths and frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.
• Measuring lengths and diameters of microscopic objects.
• Measuring thicknesses and cross-sections of materials.
• Measuring focal lengths and apertures of lenses.
• Measuring blood pressure and blood glucose levels.



How to Convert Centimeter

The centimeter can be converted to other units of length by using conversion factors or formulas. Here are some examples of how to convert centimeters to other units of length in the SI system, the US customary system and other systems:

• To convert centimeters to millimeters, multiply by 10. For example, 10 cm = 10 × 10 = 100 mm.
• To convert centimeters to meters, divide by 100. For example, 10 cm = 10 / 100 = 0.1 m.
• To convert centimeters to kilometers, divide by 100000. For example, 10 cm = 10 / 100000 = 0.0001 km.
• To convert centimeters to inches, multiply by 0.3937. For example, 10 cm = 10 × 0.3937 = 3.937 in.
• To convert centimeters to feet, multiply by 0.0328. For example, 10 cm = 10 × 0.0328 = 0.328 ft.
• To convert centimeters to yards, multiply by 0.0109. For example, 10 cm = 10 × 0.0109 = 0.109 yd.
• To convert centimeters to miles, multiply by 0.0000062137. For example, 10 cm = 10 × 0.0000062137 = 0.000062137 mi.
• To convert centimeters to nanometers, multiply by 10000000. For example, one cm = one × 10000000 = 10000000 nm.
• To convert centimeters to micrometers, multiply by 10000. For example, one cm = one × 10000 = 10000 µm.

Yard: A Unit of Length

A yard is a unit of length that is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches in the imperial and U.S. customary systems of measurement. It is also equal to 0.9144 meter in the International System of Units (SI). A distance of 1,760 yards is equal to 1 mile. The symbol for yard is yd.

How to Convert Yard

To convert a yard to other units of length, you can use the following formulas:

• To convert a yard to feet, multiply by 3. For example, 5 yd = 5 x 3 ft = 15 ft.
• To convert a yard to inches, multiply by 36. For example, 5 yd = 5 x 36 in = 180 in.
• To convert a yard to meters, multiply by 0.9144. For example, 5 yd = 5 x 0.9144 m = 4.572 m.
• To convert a yard to centimeters, multiply by 91.44. For example, 5 yd = 5 x 91.44 cm = 457.2 cm.
• To convert a yard to millimeters, multiply by 914.4. For example, 5 yd = 5 x 914.4 mm = 4572 mm.
• To convert a yard to kilometers, divide by 1093.6133. For example, 5 yd = 5 / 1093.6133 km = 0.00457 km.

Where Yard is Used

The yard is mainly used in the United States, the United Kingdom and some other countries that have historical ties with them. It is used for measuring length, distance, area and volume in various contexts such as:

• Sports: The yard is used for measuring the length of a football field (100 yd), the width of a soccer field (70 yd), the height of a basketball hoop (10 ft or 3.33 yd) and the distance between bases in baseball (90 ft or 30 yd).
• Textiles: The yard is used for measuring the length of fabrics and yarns (e.g., a yard of cloth, a skein of yarn).
• Construction: The yard is used for measuring the dimensions of buildings and structures (e.g., a yardstick, a cubic yard of concrete).
• Transportation: The yard is used for measuring the speed and distance of vehicles (e.g., miles per hour, yards per second).

Definition of the Yard

The current definition of the yard was established by an international agreement in 1959 as exactly 0.9144 meter. This definition was based on a prototype bronze bar that was forged in 1855 as an exact copy of the British Imperial Standard Yard held by Parliament. The prototype bar was called Bronze Yard No.11 and was the official standard of length for the United States until 1892.

The yard is defined as the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of

(1/299792458) × (3600/3937)

History of the Yard

The origin of the yard measure is uncertain. It may have derived from the old English unit of tax assessment called the yardland, which was equal to 1/4 hide or about 30 acres. It may also have derived from the old English unit of surveying called the rod, which was equal to 1/4 chain or about 16 (1/2) feet.

The word “yard” comes from the old English word “gerd” or “gyrd”, which meant a branch, a staff or a measuring rod. The word “yard” was first used to describe this length in William Langland’s poem Piers Plowman in the late 14th century.

The first official standard for the yard was established by King Henry I of England in the early 12th century. He ordered that the yard should be equal to the length of his arm from the tip of his nose to the end of his thumb.

The yard was also used in other countries, such as Scotland, Ireland, France and Spain, with slight variations in length. For example, the Scottish yard was equal to 37 inches, the Irish yard was equal to 40 inches, the French yard was equal to 39.37 inches and the Spanish yard was equal to 32.38 inches.

The yard underwent several changes and refinements over the centuries, until it was finally standardized as 0.9144 meter in 1959 by an international agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Example Conversions of Yard to Other Units

Here are some example conversions of yard to other units of length:

• 1 yd = 3 ft
• 1 yd = 36 in
• 1 yd = 0.9144 m
• 1 yd = 91.44 cm
• 1 yd = 914.4 mm
• 1 yd = 1/1093.6133 km