1. The Metric System, Conversions & Scientific Notation

2. The Metric System
The metric system is an internationally standardized system of units of measurement.
The metric system is based on a base unit and prefixes.

3. Prefixes Kilo - 1000 k Hecto - 100 h Deca - 10 da 1 Deci - 0.1 d
Centi c
Milli m

4. Length The basic unit of length in the metric system is the meter (m)
Metric Units of Length
Kilometer (km) = 1000 m
Hectometer (hm) = 100 m
Decameter (dam) = 10 m
Meter (m) = 1 m
Decimeter (dm) = 0.1 m
Centimeter (cm) = 0.01 m
Millimeter (mm) = m

5. Mass
Weight is a measure of how strongly gravity is pulling on an object (can change).
Mass is the amount of matter an object has (doesn’t change).
Note: On Earth, weight and mass are often used interchangeably.

6. Mass The basic unit of mass in the metric system is a gram (g)
Metric Units of Mass
Kilogram (kg) = 1000 g
Hectogram (hg) = 100 g
Decagram (dag) = 10 g
Gram (g) = 1 g
Decigram (dg) = 0.1 g
Centigram (cg) = 0.01 g
Milligram (mg) = g

7. Capacity Metric Units of Capacity
Liquid substances are measured in units of capacity.
The basic unit of mass in liquids is a liter (L)
Metric Units of Capacity
Kiloliter (kL) = 1000 L
Hectoliter (hL) = 100 L
Decaliter (daL) = 10 L
Liter (L) = 1 L
Deciliter (dL) = 0.1 L
Centiliter (cL) = 0.01 L
Milliliter (mL) = L

8. Conversions within the Metric System
To convert units within the metric system, write the prefixes in order from largest to smallest
k h da d c m
To convert from a smaller unit to a larger unit, move to the left
To convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, move to the right

9. Ex: Convert 1600 cm to m
km hm dam m dm cm mm
Move 2 places to the left to get from cm to m
Therefore, move the decimal point in 1600 two places to the left to convert from cm to m
1600 cm = m

10. Ex: Convert 2 kL to L Move 3 places to the right to get from kL to L
kL hL daL L dL cL mL
Move 3 places to the right to get from kL to L
Therefore, move the decimal point in 2 three places to the right to convert from kL to L
2 KL = 2000 L

11. Conversions between the U.S. Customary System and the Metric System
Units of Mass
1 oz g
1 lb g
2.2 lb kg
Units of Capacity
1.06 qt L
1 gal L
Units of Length
1 in = 2.54 cm
3.28 ft m
1.09 yd m
1 mi km

12. Ex: Convert 130 lbs to kg (round to the nearest whole number)

13. Scientific Notation
Scientific notation is the way that scientists handle very large numbers or very small numbers.
Examples:
24327 = x 104
0.053 = 5.3 x 10-2