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1 decimeter (dm) = 3.93700787 inch (in). Decimeter (dm) is a unit of Length used in Metric system. Inch (in) is a unit of Length used in Standard system.

Decimeter: A Unit of Length Used in the Metric System

The decimeter (dm) is a unit of length in the metric system, which is the most widely used system of measurement in the world. The decimeter is equal to one tenth of a meter, which is the SI base unit of length. The decimeter 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 decimeter is dm. The decimeter is used for measuring medium distances and dimensions, such as the height of a bookshelf or the width of a door. The decimeter is also used for measuring volumes, such as the volume of a cube or a box. The decimeter is named after the deci prefix, which means one tenth in Latin. In this article, we will explore the definition, history, usage and conversion of the decimeter as a unit of length.

Definition of Decimeter

The decimeter is a unit of length that is equal to one tenth of a meter. It is defined as 1/10 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 decimeter 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 Decimeter

The origin of the decimeter 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 decimeters. 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 decimeter 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 decimeter also changed accordingly to reflect this new definition.

Usage of Decimeter

The decimeter is a unit of length that is used for measuring medium distances and dimensions, such as the height of a bookshelf or the width of a door. The decimeter is also used for measuring volumes, such as the volume of a cube or a box.

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

• Measuring the dimensions of furniture and appliances.
• Measuring the size of books and magazines.
• Measuring the capacity of containers and bottles.
• Measuring the depth of water and soil.
• Measuring the distance between objects and landmarks.

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

• Measuring the diameter and circumference of circles and cylinders.
• Measuring the volume and surface area of solids and liquids.
• Measuring the density and specific gravity of substances.
• Measuring the pressure and temperature of gases and fluids.
• Measuring the focal length and magnification of lenses and mirrors.

How to Convert Decimeter

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

• To convert decimeters to centimeters, multiply by 10. For example, 10 dm = 10 × 10 = 100 cm.
• To convert decimeters to meters, divide by 10. For example, 10 dm = 10 / 10 = 1 m.
• To convert decimeters to kilometers, divide by 10000. For example, 10 dm = 10 / 10000 = 0.001 km.
• To convert decimeters to inches, multiply by 3.937. For example, 10 dm = 10 × 3.937 = 39.37 in.
• To convert decimeters to feet, multiply by 0.328. For example, 10 dm = 10 × 0.328 = 3.28 ft.

Inch: A Unit of Length Used in the US Customary System

Definition of Inch

The inch is a unit of length that is equal to 1/12 of a foot. It is defined as 25.4 millimeters. The foot is defined as 0.3048 meters.

The definition of the inch has changed over time, as different standards and methods of measurement were developed by various countries and organizations. The current definition of the inch as based on millimeters was agreed upon by an international treaty in 1959.

History of Inch

The origin of the inch as a unit of length can be traced back to ancient times, when it was used as a measure of length based on the human body. The word inch comes from the Latin word uncia, meaning one-twelfth. It referred to one-twelfth of a Roman foot, which was about 29.6 millimeters.

The inch was also used as a measure of length by other civilizations, such as the Anglo-Saxons, who used it as one-third of a palm or one-twenty-fourth of an ell. The Anglo-Saxon inch was about 25 millimeters.

The inch was adopted by other countries that followed the English system of measurement, such as the United States and Canada. It was also incorporated into the imperial system, which was established by an act of Parliament in 1824. The imperial system was based on seven base units that could be derived from natural and traditional units. The inch remained as a derived unit in the imperial system, but it was no longer recommended for use in scientific and technical fields.

Usage of Inch

The inch is a unit of length that is used for measuring short distances and dimensions, such as the length of a nail or the width of a finger.

The inch is commonly used in everyday life, especially in countries that follow the US customary system. Some examples are:

• Measuring the size and shape of objects and tools.
• Measuring the height and weight of people and animals.
• Measuring the distance and time between places and events.
• Measuring clothing sizes and shoe sizes.

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

• Measuring the diameter and circumference of circles and spheres.
• Measuring the thickness and density of materials.
• Measuring the pressure and temperature of gases and liquids.

How to Convert Inch to Other Units of Length in the US Customary System

To convert inch to other units of length in the US customary system, we need to know the relationship between inch and other units. Here are some common units and their equivalent values in inches:

• 1 foot = 12 inches
• 1 yard = 36 inches
• 1 mile = 63,360 inches
• 1 mil = 0.001 inch

To convert inch to any of these units, we need to multiply or divide by the appropriate factor. For example, to convert 10 inches to feet, we need to divide by 12:

10 inches / 12 = 0.833 feet

To convert 10 inches to miles, we need to divide by 63,360:

10 inches / 63,360 = 0.000158 miles

To convert 10 inches to mils, we need to multiply by 1000:

10 inches x 1000 = 10,000 mils

How to Convert Inch to Other Units of Length in the SI System

To convert inch to other units of length in the SI system, we need to know the relationship between inch and meter. One inch is equal to 0.0254 meters.

To convert inch to any other unit of length in the SI system, we need to multiply or divide by the appropriate power of ten and add a prefix. Here are some common units and their equivalent values in inches:

• 1 centimeter = 0.39370079 inches
• 1 millimeter = 0.039370079 inches
• 1 micrometer = 3.9370079 x 10^-5 inches

To convert inch to any of these units, we need to multiply by the appropriate factor and add a prefix. For example, to convert 10 inches to centimeters, we need to multiply by 2.54:

10 inches x 2.54 = 25.4 centimeters