1. How to convert within the metric system
METRIC CONVERSION
How to convert within the metric system
© Copyright   M. J. Krech. All rights reserved.

2. 1 x 10 = 10 10 X 10 = 100 10 x 100 = 1,000 The Metric System
is based on sets of 10.
1 x 10 = 10
10 X 10 = 100
10 x 100 = 1,000

3. King Henry Doesn’t Usually Drink Chocolate Milk
The mnemonic:
King Henry Doesn’t Usually Drink Chocolate Milk
Memorize      this!
Mnemonic = memory device!

4. How to convert within the Metric System:
Here’s a good device:
On your paper draw a line and add 7 tick marks:

5. Next:
Above the tick marks write the abbreviations for the King Henry mnemonic:
k h d u d c m m l g
Write the units in the middle under the “U”.

6. Let’s add the meter line:
k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm L g

7. Let’s add the liter line:
k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm
kL hL daL L dL cL mL g
Deca can also be dk or da

8. Let’s add the gram line:
k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm
kl hl dal l dl cl ml
kg hg dag g dg cg mg

9. What do these letters stand for??
k h d u d c m
kilo- hecto- deca- (unit) deci- centi- milli- m l g

10. How to use this device:
Look at the problem. Look at the unit that has a number. On the line put your pencil on that unit.
Move to new unit, counting jumps and noticing the direction of the jump.
Move decimal in original number the same # of spaces and in the same direction.

11. Example #1: Look at the problem. 56 cm = ______ mm
Look at the unit that has a number. 56 cm
On the line put your pencil on that unit.
k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm

12. Example #1: Move to new unit, counting jumps and
noticing the direction of the jump!
k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm
One jump to the right!

13. Example #1:
Move decimal in original number the same # of spaces and in the same direction.
56 cm = _____ mm
56.0.
One jump
to the right!
Move decimal one jump to the right.
Add a zero as a placeholder.

14. Example #1:
56 cm = _____ mm
56cm = 560 mm

15. Example #2: Look at the problem. 7.25 L = ____ kL
Look at the unit that has a number L
On the device put your pencil on that unit.
k h d u d c m
kl hl dal L dl cl ml

16. Example #2: Move to new unit, counting jumps and
noticing the direction of the jump!
k h d u d c m
kl hl dal L dl cl ml
Three jumps to the left!

17. .007.25 Example #2: Move decimal to the left three jumps.
(3) Move decimal in original number
the same # of spaces and in the same direction.
7.25 L = ____ kL
Three jumps
to the left!
Move decimal to the left three jumps.
Add two zeros as placeholders.

18. Example #2:
7.25 L = ____ kL
7.25 L = kL

19. Example #3: Try this problem on your own: 45,000 g = ____mg
k h d u d c m
kg hg dag g dg cg mg

20. 45,000.000. Example #3: Three jumps to the right! k h d u d c m
kg hg dag g dg cg mg
Three jumps to the right!
45,

21. Example #3:
45,000 g = 45,000,000 mg
Three jumps to the right!

22. Example #4: Try this problem on your own: 5 cm = ____ km k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm

23. .00005. Example #4: Five jumps to the left! k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm
Five jumps to the left!

24. Example #4:
5 cm = km
Five jumps to the left!

25. Examples #5-9:
Solve these five problems on your own. Show your answers to your teacher.
You may choose to use any notes you have taken so far.

26. Examples #5-9: (5) 35 mm = ____ cm (6) 14,443 L = ____ kL
(7) kg = ____ g
(8)35.4 L = ____ mL
(9)16 mm = ____ km

27. One last caution: Be careful NOT
to count the spot you start from, where you put your pencil point.
Only count
the jumps!

28. The End