1. Single Unit Conversions

2. Going from the unit (L) to the micro unit (μL) by moving the decimal point
microliters (μL)
1 liter (L) = 1
The micro prefix μ is 10-6 times the original unit, so move the decimal point to the right 6 times, making the number bigger to compensate for the fact that the unit is now smaller.
UNIT CONVERSIONS DO NOT CHANGE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE MEASUREMENT.
 100 pennies = 1 dollar OR 1 penny = 0.01 dollar 1 2 3 4 5 6

3. Step 2 Does your answer make sense? Or did you change the magnitude?
Draw a visual representation of each unit:
1 liter (L)
106 microliters (μL)

4. Rule of thumb
When converting to a smaller unit, the # should get bigger. Move decimal point to the RIGHT.
When converting to a larger unit, the # should get smaller. Move decimal point to the LEFT.

5. But remember this!
Unit conversion, done right, does not change the magnitude! You are still talking about the same quantity of stuff, just in bigger or smaller units.

6. Class Examples Converting to smaller units
How many mL in 0.27L?
1 mL is 1,000 times smaller (10-3) than 1 L, so number must become bigger to compensate for the unit becoming smaller. Move the decimal point to the RIGHT 3 times.
0.270 L
Answer  270 mL 1 2 3

7. Class Examples Converting to smaller units
How many μL in 30 mL?
1 μL = 10-6 L (or L or 1 millionth L)
1 mL = 10-3 L (or L or 1 thousandth L)
Use ratios to get from μL to mL:
1 μL mL
10-6 L L
Multiply both sides by 10-6 L μL = 10-3mL =

8. Class Examples Converting to smaller units
How many μL in 30 mL?
1 μL = 10-3mL
1 μL is 10-3 mL, or 1 μL is one thousand times smaller. If your new unit is one thousand times smaller, that means your number has to be 1,000 times bigger:
30 mL = 30
000 μL 1 2 3

9. Class Examples Converting to bigger units
How many Mm (megameters) are in 19 meters?
1Mm = 106 or 1,000,000 or 1 million meters
The unit is now 10 6 or 1 million times bigger. So your number has to get 1 million times smaller. Move the decimal point 6 times to the LEFT.
19 m = 19 Mm 6 5 4 3 2 1

10. Class Examples Converting to bigger units
How many Gm are in 75 Mm?
1 Gm = 109 or 1,000,000,000 or 1 billion m
1 Mm = 106 or 1,000,000 or 1 million m
1 Gm Mm
109 m m
Multiply both sides by 109 m
1 Gm = 103 Mm
So your unit is now 103 or 1,000 times bigger, so your number must become 1,000 smaller. Move the decimal point 3 times to the LEFT. =

11. Class Examples Converting to bigger units
75 Mm =
0.0 75 Gm 3 2 1