Converting in and out of the metric system

 Converting in the metric system is easy because it’s all based on unit of ten- Move the decimal!!

 When both units (what we have and what we are converting to) are not metric we need to use “conversion factors”  Dimensional analysis uses fractions that equal one  Here’s an example:

 Remember we can always turn any number into a fraction by putting a one underneath it  We can also use information we know:  there are 60 seconds in a minute

 If units are in the numerator & denominator they can be canceled  These units could be in different fractions multiplied together  Ex. Convert 20 seconds into hours… 20 sec x 1 min x 1 hour = 20 hours = ? 60 sec 60 min 3600

 Let’s do one we know:  Convert 2367m to km  moving the decimal = 2.367km  To use DA make a conversion factor  How are meters and kilometers related?  Set up a fraction:

 Your European hairdresser wants to cut your hair 8 cm shorter. How many inches will he be cutting off?

 How many feet long is a 5K (5 km) race?

 The Okemos football team needs 550 cm for a 1st down. How many yards is this?

 How many seconds are in a year?