5 kilometers = 5,000 meters = 5,000,000 millimeters The Metric System The system of measurement utilized by the International System of Units or the Système International d'Unités (SI). This system was established to provide consistency related to weights and measures and is the primary system of measurement used around the world (however, not in the United States). Each measurement within this system consists of a base unit (liter, meter, gram, etc.) usually attached to a prefix (kilo, hecto, deca, deci, centi, milli, etc.). One can easily navigate, or convert, within the metric system by multiplying or dividing by a power of 10. In other words, by simply moving the decimal point to the right or the left, it is possible to convert from one unit of measure to another within this system. Example 5 kilometers = 5,000 meters = 5,000,000 millimeters Each of these conversions were made by simply moving the decimal point to the right or the left

Prefixes The chart below provides a list of some commonly used prefixes Symbol Prefix Numerical Expression Factor T tera- 1 000 000 000 000 1012 G giga- 1 000 000 000 109 M mega- 1 000 000 106 k kilo- 1 000 103 h hecto- 100 102 da dek(c)a 10 101 NO PREFIX (UNIT) 1 100 d deci- 0.1 10-1 c centi- 0.01 10-2 m milli- 0.001 10-3 μ micro- 0.000001 10-6 n nano- 0.000000001 10-9

Units Units Symbol Used to Measure: liter L volume The chart below provides a list of some commonly used units Units Symbol Used to Measure: liter L volume meter m distance/length gram g mass (weight) Joule J energy second s time Pascal Pa pressure

Combining Prefixes and Units Values in the metric system must contain a unit and the units are typically preceded by a prefix milli + gram = milligram (mg) Prefixes tera (T) giga (G) mega (M) kilo (k) hecto (h) dek(c)a (da) deci (d) centi (c) milli (m) micro (µ) nano (n) Units liter (L) meter (m) gram (g) Joule (J) second (s) Pascal (Pa) kilo + liter = kiloliter (kL) centi + meter = centimeter (cm) *The lists of prefixes & units are not all-inclusive

“Use it to help guide you through the metric system” Metric Map “Use it to help guide you through the metric system” UNITS Gram Liter Meter kilo hecto deka deci centi milli How To Use Your Map Identify your starting point - this is the number followed by a prefix/unit. Identify your final destination – this is the prefix/unit you want in the end. Count the number of steps/places from the starting point to the final destination. Move the decimal point the number of steps between the two locations, in the same direction. *This map does not show all prefixes and units

Practice Problems How many milligrams are in 3.6 kilograms? Convert 15 liters to centiliters How many hm are in 12.67 mm? Convert 128,650 mL to daL Jason ran 1.61 km. How many meters did he run?

Practice Problem 1 3,600,000 mg 3 6 kg mg How many milligrams are in 3.6 kilograms? Gram kilo hecto deka deci centi milli Starting point Final Destination 3,600,000 mg 3 6 kg mg Direction: Steps:  6

Practice Problem 2 1,500 cL 1 5 0 L cL Convert 15 liters to centiliters Liter kilo hecto deka deci centi milli Starting point Final Destination 1,500 cL 1 5 0 L cL Direction: Steps:  2

Practice Problem 3 0.0001267 hm 1 2 67 mm hm How many hm are in 12.67 mm? Meter kilo hecto deka deci centi milli Final Destination Starting point 0.0001267 hm 1 2 67 mm hm Direction: Steps:  5

Practice Problem 4 12.865 daL 1 2 8 6 5 0 0 mL daL Convert 128,650 mL to daL Liter kilo hecto deka deci centi milli Final Destination Starting point 12.865 daL 1 2 8 6 5 0 0 mL daL Direction: Steps:  4

Practice Problem 5 Jason ran 1.61 km. How many meters did he run? Meter kilo hecto deka deci centi milli Starting point Final Destination 1,610 m 1 6 1 km m Direction: Steps:  3

Helpful Acrostic Try to create your own acrostic to help you king henry died drinking Unexpectedly chocolate milk Try to create your own acrostic to help you remember the prefixes and their order. This will be important because you will not receive the metric map on your quiz.