1. How can you use metric units to measure length?
CHAPTER 1.3
How can you use metric units to measure length?

2. How can you use metric units to measure length?
The metric system is based on a system of tens.
In the metric system, you measure length in meters or parts of a meter.
The common tool for measuring length in the metric system is the meter stick. It’s divided into smaller units- cm and mm.

3. Metric Measure of Length
The meter is the metric unit of length.
1 meter is approximately 3 feet
1 meter is 39 inches
1 meter is the length of an adult’s man arm
the abbreviation is ‘m’

5. Metric Prefix Prefix Meaning Example kilo- (k) 1,000x kilometer (km)
centi- (c)
1/1000 (0.01)
centimeter
(cm)
milli- (m)
1/1,000 (0.001)
millimeter
(mm)

6. Look at the textbook page 10
See the diagram of a ruler showing a ruler and its parts.
Look at 1 cm and 1mm. Did you find it?

7. Practice with measuring length
Use ruler and practice measuring different lengths in the metric system.
The length is usually measured in cm.

8. Self-check page 11
Which letter in the illustration above points to 1millimeter?
Which letter points to 1 centimeter?
How many millimeters are there in 1 centimeter?
How many millimeters are in 10 centimeters?
What is the measurement in millimeters of the match shown?
How long is the match in centimeters?

9. Lab Investigation “Hands Instead of Feet” page 12-13

10. A lab report has: Title Materials Purpose
Background information (it depends on the lab)
Hypothesis (it depends on the lab)
Procedure
Data
Conclusion

11. “Hands instead of feet” Lab
Object
Length in Hands
Length in Centimeters
textbook
desktop
closet

12. Conclusion:
1. Did your length in hands match those of the other students? Why or why not?
2. Did your length in centimeters match those of the other students? Why or why not?
3. Do you think a system such as the metric system is more useful than one that uses units such as hands? Explain.