Which metric unit is equivalent to one cubic decimeter?

One cubic decimeter is equivalent to one liter. This relationship stems from the definition of a liter as the volume of a cube that measures 10 centimeters on each side. Thus, when you cube this measurement, you get 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm, resulting in 1000 cubic centimeters, which is also equal to one cubic decimeter.

This equivalence is foundational in the metric system, where volume measurements often relate closely to each other based on factors of ten. Therefore, when considering various metrics, knowing that a cubic decimeter is synonymous with a liter reinforces the coherent structure of the metric system, where each unit progresses either by multiplying or dividing by ten.

While milliliters, centiliters, and hectoliters are all related volume measurements, they represent different volumes than a cubic decimeter. A milliliter is one-thousandth of a liter, a centiliter is one-hundredth of a liter, and a hectoliter is one hundred liters. Understanding these measurements highlights why the liter, as a direct equivalent to a cubic decimeter, is the most appropriate answer in this context.