How many meters does 1 centimeter equal?

To determine how many meters 1 centimeter equals, it is important to understand the relationship between centimeters and meters within the metric system. The metric system is based on powers of ten, which makes conversions relatively straightforward.

1 meter is defined as equal to 100 centimeters. Therefore, to find out how many meters are in 1 centimeter, we can establish a conversion factor. Since 1 meter is equal to 100 centimeters, we can express this as:

1 centimeter = 1 meter / 100

When performing the division, you arrive at:

1 centimeter = 0.01 meters

This is why the correct answer is that 1 centimeter equals 0.01 meter. This fundamental understanding of the metric system allows for easy conversions between different units of measurement, which is a crucial skill in fields that require precise measurements, such as science and engineering.