Squared & Cubic Units (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE International Maths): Revision Note

Squared & cubic units

How do I convert between squared units (areas)?

• You need to square the unit conversion rates

  • E.g., 1 cm² = 10² mm² = 100 mm²

  • This is because area is 2D

  • The fact the units have a 'squared' on them will help you remember

• It can help to imagine a square

  • E.g. 1 m² is a square measuring 1 m × 1 m

  • In cm this would be 100 cm × 100 cm

  • So 1 m² is equivalent to 10 000 cm²

• The basic conversions for area are

  • 1 cm² = 100 mm²

  • 1 m² = 10 000 cm²

  • 1 km² = 1 000 000 m²

• You may be told conversions for other units in a question, such as

  • 1 hectare (ha) = 10 000 m²

How do I convert between cubed units (volume)?

• You need to cube the unit conversion rates

  • E.g. 1 cm³ = 10³ mm³ = 1000 mm³

  • This is because volume is 3D

  • The fact the units have a “cubed” on them will help you remember

• It can help to imagine a cube

  • E.g. 1 m³ is a cube measuring 1 m × 1 m × 1 m

  • In cm this would be 100 cm × 100 cm × 100 cm

  • So 1 m³ is equivalent to 1 000 000 cm³

• The basic conversions for volume are

  • 1 cm³ = 1000 mm³

  • 1 m³ = 1 000 000 cm³

  • 1 km³ = 1 000 000 000 m³