Metric Conversions

What is the Metric System? The metric system is a system of measurements that is used internationally by scientists to obtain and collect data about different objects.

The metric system is also known as the S. I The metric system is also known as the S.I. system (System International). It is based on multiples of the number 10.

Length Mass Volume Picture Measurement Meter Metric ruler Liter Common Base SI units Measurement Tool that measures Picture Length   Meter  Metric ruler Volume  Liter Graduated Cylinder  Mass  Grams Triple Beam Balance

The metric system uses prefixes before the common base SI unit to describe something that is larger or smaller. For example, the base SI unit for length is the meter. The prefix would be placed before the word meter to show how much smaller or bigger than a meter that particular length is.

Metric Measurement and Common Prefixes Prefix/Word Fraction Decimal Abbreviation Milli Ex: millimeter 1/1000 0.001 m Ex: mm Centi Ex: centimeter 1/100 0.01 c Ex: cm Deci Ex: decimeter 1/10 0.1 d Ex: dm Deca Ex: Decameter 10 - D Dm Hecto Ex: Hectometer 100 H Ex: Hm Kilo Ex: kilometer 1000 K or k Ex: Km or km

The Rules to Measuring Successfully in the Metric System No fractions for measuring!!! Example: ½ = 0.5 Always have a number before and after a decimal. Example: 0.1 or 5.0 When using a metric ruler, be sure to line up objects on the zero.

Metric Conversion Notes The following picture will help you convert between different metric prefixes. The order of the prefixes must be memorized!! You can use the phrase below to help you. King Henry Doesn’t BUy diet chocolate milk *** UNIT=base unit (meter, gram, liter)

Here are 3 practice problems to try: 0.15 m = ______________ m 2.0 cm = ______________ Hm 4.4 Dg + ______________ g