The METRIC SYSTEM We can convert between UNITS by moving the decimal left or right in a number.

Accuracy depends on standards. A standard is an exact quantity that people agree to use for comparison. Based on multiples of 10.

Quantity Measured Unit Symbol Length Meter m Mass Gram g Volume Liter l Time Second s Temperature Kelvin K Amount of Substance Mole mol

 Memory Device (khdBdcm) SI Prefixes Kilo (K) Hecto (H) Deka (dK) Base unit (B) Deci (d) Centi (c) Milli (m)  Memory Device (khdBdcm) King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk

measurement. Meters (m) Grams (g) Liters (l) The base unit (B) will be the unit of measurement. Meters (m) Grams (g) Liters (l)

Since the metric system and the decimal system are both based on units of 10, converting is done by moving the decimal.

of each prefix (see Memory Device). On your notes draw a line and add 7 tick marks. Label the tick marks with the first letter of each prefix (see Memory Device). The middle line is labeled ‘B’, which represents the base unit letter. K H D B d c m

Look at the unit in the given number. On the device, put your pencil on that unit. Look back at the problem. Find the unit to solve for. Move along the device to new unit. Count the number of jumps AND notice the direction of the jump. Move decimal in original number the same # of spaces and in the same direction.

56 cm = mm The given unit is cm. Place pencil on ‘C’ in the device. k h d B d c m

56 cm = mm The unit to solve for is mm. Move your pencil along the device to the ‘M’. Count the number of jumps & note the direction of the move. k h d B d c m

56 cm = mm How many spaces did you move along the device? 1 space In which direction? To the right K H D B d c m

56 cm = mm Move the decimal in the given number the same number of spaces and in the same direction (1 space to the right). Fill in the empty space with a ZERO! 56.0.

 56 cm = Answer: mm 56 cm = 560 mm

length? meter  6.2 meters = ____________mm  0.11 Dm = m Distance is a measure of length. Length is the distance between 2 points. Which SI base unit is used to measure length? meter Distance Conversion Examples:  6.2 meters = ____________mm  0.11 Dm = m  800 cm = Km

The amount of space occupied by an object is volume. Which SI base unit is used to measure volume? liter Volume Conversion Examples:  500 cL = L  4.3 KL = dL

Mass in the measurement of the quantity of matter in an object. Which base unit is used to measure mass? gram Gram is NOT the SI unit for mass….kilogram is the SI unit! Mass Conversion Examples:  0.027 Kg = g  78.5 cg = Hg

Mega – (M) = Micro – (μ) Nano – (n) Conversion factor: Other Prefixes Mega – (M) = Conversion factor: Micro – (μ) Nano – (n) 1 base unit = 1x106 mega─ 1x10—6 base unit = 1 micro─ 1x10—9 base unit = 1 nano─

0.00000628 6.28 micrometers = meters or 6.28 x 10 –6 0.00000045 or Examples  9,674,444 grams = 9.674444 megagrams 0.00000628 6.28 micrometers = meters or 6.28 x 10 –6 0.00000045 or 450 nanoliters = liters 4.5 x 10 –7