1. The METRIC SYSTEM
We can convert between UNITS by moving the decimal left or right in a number.

3. Accuracy depends on standards.
A standard is an exact quantity that people agree to use for comparison.
Based on multiples of 10.

4. Quantity Measured
Unit
Symbol
Length
Meter m
Mass
Gram g
Volume
Liter l
Time
Second s
Temperature
Kelvin K
Amount of Substance
Mole
mol

5.  Memory Device (khdBdcm)
SI Prefixes
Kilo (K)
Hecto (H)
Deka (dK)
Base unit (B)
Deci (d)
Centi (c)
Milli (m)
 Memory Device (khdBdcm)
King Henry Died By
Drinking Chocolate Milk

6. measurement. Meters (m) Grams (g) Liters (l)
The base unit (B) will be the unit of
measurement.
Meters (m)
Grams (g)
Liters (l)

7. Since the metric system and the decimal system are both based on units of 10, converting is done by moving the decimal.

8. of each prefix (see Memory Device).
On your notes draw a line and add 7
tick marks.
Label the tick marks with the first letter
of each prefix (see Memory Device).
The middle line is labeled ‘B’, which represents the base unit letter.
K H D B d c m

9. Look at the unit in the given number. On
the device, put your pencil on that unit.
Look back at the problem. Find the unit to solve for.
Move along the device to new unit. Count the number of jumps AND notice the direction of the jump.
Move decimal in original number the same # of spaces and in the same direction.

10. 56 cm = mm The given unit is cm. Place
pencil on ‘C’ in the device.
k h d B d c m

11. 56 cm = mm
The unit to solve for is mm. Move your pencil along the device to the ‘M’. Count the number of jumps & note the direction of the move.
k h d B d c m

12. 56 cm = mm How many spaces did you move
along the device?
1 space
In which direction? To the right
K H D B d c m

13. 56 cm = mm
Move the decimal in the given number the same number of spaces and in the same direction (1 space to the right).
Fill in the empty space with a ZERO!
56.0.

14.  56 cm =
Answer: mm
56 cm =
560 mm

15. length? meter  6.2 meters = ____________mm  0.11 Dm = m
Distance is a measure of length.
Length is the distance between 2 points.
Which SI base unit is used to measure
length?
meter
Distance Conversion Examples:
 6.2 meters = ____________mm
 0.11 Dm = m
 800 cm = Km

16. The amount of space occupied by an
object is volume.
Which SI base unit is used to measure
volume?
liter
Volume Conversion Examples:
 500 cL = L
 4.3 KL = dL

17. Mass in the measurement of the quantity
of matter in an object.
Which base unit is used to measure mass?
gram
Gram is NOT the SI unit for
mass….kilogram is the SI unit!
Mass Conversion Examples:
 Kg = g
 78.5 cg = Hg

18. Mega – (M) = Micro – (μ) Nano – (n) Conversion factor:
Other Prefixes
Mega – (M) =
Conversion factor:
Micro – (μ)
Nano – (n)
1 base unit = 1x106 mega─
1x10—6 base unit =
1 micro─
1x10—9 base unit =
1 nano─

19. 0.00000628 6.28 micrometers = meters or 6.28 x 10 –6 0.00000045 or
Examples
 9,674,444 grams = megagrams
6.28 micrometers = meters or
6.28 x 10 –6 or
450 nanoliters =
liters
4.5 x 10 –7