1. Basic Units Of Metric Measure:
Essential Question: What do we use to measure length, mass, & volume in the metric system?
Length = meter tool is the meter stick
1 meter = 1/10,000,000 of the distance from the equator to the north pole.
Volume = liter tool is the graduated cylinder
1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter
Mass = gram tool is the triple beam balance
1 kilogram = 1 liter of water
Water freezes at 0o C
Temperature = Degrees Celsius
Water boils at 100o C
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2. Advance of metric usage in the world
The chart (below) shows when various countries adopted the metric system and is based on a survey conducted by USMA many years ago. The chart shows the countries' names at the time; some have since changed names. And, because metrication is an evolutionary process that takes place over time, any attempt to assign a single year to a country's conversion is only an approximation. Outside of what is shown on the chart, below, most other details of that survey have been lost. However, since the original development of the chart, the information on Jamaica has been added.
                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Only a few small countries, including some un-listed Caribbean nations heavily influenced by the U.S., have not formally adopted the use of SI.
Among countries not claiming to be metric, the U.S. is the only significant holdout.

3. The metrics system is based on the globe.
By dividing the distance from the Equator to the North Pole by 10 million, a convenient length was defined.
It was a little longer than a yard, and the name would be from the Greek word, Metron, meaning to measure.
From the North Pole to the Equator, it is 1/10,000,000

4. Metric Notes
The official name of the metric system is the System Internationale (SI) or the International System of Units.
Used by 96% of the world's population.
Used by all countries for scientific measurements.
It’s less confusing and easier than the American System (US Standard System).
- All units of measurement are based on multiples of 10.
- All units use a common set of prefixes for each multiple. 1
100 10
0.1
0.01
1000
0.001
kilo
hecto
deka
deci
centi
milli
meter
liter
gram
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5. How many jumps does it take?
Ladder Method 1 2 3
KILO 1000 Units
HECTO 100 Units
DEKA 10 Units
DECI 0.1 Unit
Meters Liters Grams
CENTI 0.01 Unit
MILLI Unit
How do you use the “ladder” method?
1st – Determine your starting point.
2nd – Count the “jumps” to your ending point.
3rd – Move the decimal the same number of jumps in the same direction.
4 km = _________ m
Starting Point
Ending Point
How many jumps does it take? 4. 1
__. 2
__. 3
__.
= 4000 m

6. Conversion Practice Try these conversions using the ladder method. 1.0
1000
1,600
1000 mm = _______m 1 m = _______ mm 160 cm = _______ mm
14 km = _______ m 109 cm = _______ km 250 m = _______ km
0.250
14,000
Compare using <, >, or =.
56 cm m hm m
<
>