Why Is a Moving Meter Stick Measured at 80 cm Assumed to Be 100 cm at Rest?

[cmantzioros]

I'm attempting a question that reads: A moving meter stick is measured to be 80 cm. What is its speed?

The related formula is L = Lo/gamma where gamma = 1 / (1 - (v/c)^2)^(1/2)

I looked at the solution provided and the first statement is: Lo = 100cm. I understand the rest from there but I have no idea where this 100cm comes from. Can anyone explain?

 

[JesseM]

I looked at the solution provided and the first statement is: Lo = 100cm. I understand the rest from there but I have no idea where this 100cm comes from. Can anyone explain?

They said it was a "meter stick", and 1 meter = 100 cm. This must be its length in its own rest frame.