Metric System In 1790’s, the French developed a new system of measurement. 1875, the Treaty of Meter signed Metric is based on decimals (10s) there are no factions and every unit can be multiplied or divided by 10. All scientists worldwide and all governments except for the US use metrics.

Units Length Meter - the meridian running through Paris from North Pole to Equator was divided into 10 million parts or meters. Volume of liquid Liter - 1 cubic decimeter. Mass Kilogram - weight of 1 liter of pure water which is approximately 1000 paper clips.

Other Measurements Temperature is measured in degree Celsius the difference between water freezing and boiling is divided into 100 parts or degrees with freezing at 0 o and boiling at 100 o C Time is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days and years

Prefixes The prefixes most commonly used are: Kilo (K) = 1000 Hecto (H) = 100 Deca (Da) = 10 deci (d) =.1 or 1/10 centi ( c) =.01 or 1/100 milli (m) =.001 or 1/1000

Using metrics To measure the length of the room meters (m) To weigh a person kilograms (kg) To give medications milliliters (ml)