Metric System Basics

Metric System The metric system is based on a base unit that corresponds to a certain kind of measurement Length = meter (m) Volume = liter (l) Weight (Mass) = gram (g) Prefixes plus base units make up the metric system Example: Centi + meter = Centimeter Kilo + liter = Kiloliter

Metric System The three prefixes that we will use the most are: Kilo (k) Centi (c) Milli (m) Kilo (K) 103 Hecto (h) 102 Deca (da or D) 101 Base Units meter gram liter Deci (d) 10-1 Centi (c) 10-2 Milli (m) 10-3

Metric System These prefixes are based on powers of 10. What does this mean? From each prefix every “step” is either: 10 times larger or 10 times smaller For example Centimeters are 10 times larger than millimeters 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters Kilo (K) 103 Hecto (h) 102 Deca (da or D) 101 Base Units Deci (d) 10-1 Centi (c) 10-2 Milli (m) 10-3

Converting Between Units Use dimensional analysis to move from one unit to another The prefix to the left is bigger (put the 1 in front of) Count steps from bigger unit to smaller unit (this is the power of 10), then set up conversion Ex) mm –> cm: 1 step (1cm = 10 mm)

Converting Between Units

Metric System For each “step” to right, you are multiplying by 10 For example, let’s go from a base unit to centi 1 liter = 10 deciliters = 100 centiliters 2 grams = 20 decigrams = 200 centigrams ( 1 x 10 = 10) = (10 x 10 = 100) (2 x 10 = 20) = (20 x 10 = 200) Kilo (K) 103 Hecto (h) 102 Deca (da or D) 101 Base Units Deci (d) 10-1 Centi (c) 10-2 Milli (m) 10-3

Practice Problems 14 cm = ______ dm 674.55 L = _______ daL 1.45 kg = ______ g 67.22 hm = _____ cm Kilo (K) 103 Hecto (h) 102 Deca (da or D) 101 Base Units meter gram liter Deci (d) 10-1 Centi (c) 10-2 Milli (m) 10-3

More Practice 4.55 mL = _________ kL 900 ds = _________ s 89 hg = _________ Dg 0.002 ks = _______ cs 2000 mm = _______ m Kilo (K) 103 Hecto (h) 102 Deca (da or D) 101 Base Units meter gram liter Deci (d) 10-1 Centi (c) 10-2 Milli (m) 10-3