1. Metric System Basics

2. Metric System
The metric system is based on a base unit that corresponds to a certain kind of measurement
Length = meter (m)
Volume = liter (l)
Weight (Mass) = gram (g)
Prefixes plus base units make up the metric system
Example:
Centi + meter = Centimeter
Kilo + liter = Kiloliter

3. Metric System The three prefixes that we will use the most are:
Kilo (k)
Centi (c)
Milli (m)
Kilo
(K)
103
Hecto
(h)
102
Deca
(da or D)
101
Base Units
meter
gram
liter
Deci
(d)
10-1
Centi
(c)
10-2
Milli
(m)
10-3

4. Metric System
These prefixes are based on powers of 10. What does this mean?
From each prefix every “step” is either:
10 times larger or
10 times smaller
For example
Centimeters are 10 times larger than millimeters
1 centimeter = 10 millimeters
Kilo
(K)
103
Hecto
(h)
102
Deca
(da or D)
101
Base Units
Deci
(d)
10-1
Centi
(c)
10-2
Milli
(m)
10-3

5. Converting Between Units
Use dimensional analysis to move from one unit to another
The prefix to the left is bigger (put the 1 in front of)
Count steps from bigger unit to smaller unit (this is the power of 10), then set up conversion
Ex) mm –> cm: 1 step (1cm = 10 mm)

6. Converting Between Units

7. Metric System For each “step” to right, you are multiplying by 10
For example, let’s go from a base unit to centi
1 liter = 10 deciliters = 100 centiliters
2 grams = 20 decigrams = 200 centigrams
( 1 x 10 = 10) = (10 x 10 = 100)
(2 x 10 = 20) = (20 x 10 = 200)
Kilo
(K)
103
Hecto
(h)
102
Deca
(da or D)
101
Base Units
Deci
(d)
10-1
Centi
(c)
10-2
Milli
(m)
10-3

8. Practice Problems 14 cm = ______ dm 674.55 L = _______ daL
1.45 kg = ______ g
67.22 hm = _____ cm
Kilo
(K)
103
Hecto
(h)
102
Deca
(da or D)
101
Base Units
meter
gram
liter
Deci
(d)
10-1
Centi
(c)
10-2
Milli
(m)
10-3

9. More Practice 4.55 mL = _________ kL 900 ds = _________ s
89 hg = _________ Dg
0.002 ks = _______ cs
2000 mm = _______ m
Kilo
(K)
103
Hecto
(h)
102
Deca
(da or D)
101
Base Units
meter
gram
liter
Deci
(d)
10-1
Centi
(c)
10-2
Milli
(m)
10-3