2. Why the Metric system?
Used in the majority of the world.
IT’S EASIER TO USE than the English System.
Based on the number 10!

3. Metric Prefixes
Prefixes are added to the names of basic SI units such as meter (also liter and gram).
Prefixes describe very small or large measurements.

4. Converting Units
To convert 1,565 pennies to the dollar amount, you divide 1,565 by 100 (since there are 100 pennies in a dollar).
Converting SI units is just as easy as converting pennies to dollars.

5. Metric Prefixes and Converting Units
To convert between units:
Start with the given prefix
Slide the decimal point to the left or right until you reach the new prefix.

6. Convert 655 mm to m Looking for: Given: Relationships: Solution:
Solving Problems
Convert 655 mm to m
Looking for:
…the distance in meters
Given:
…distance = 655 millimeters
Relationships:
Ex. There are 1000 millimeters in 1 meter
Solution:
655 mm = .655 meters

7. Think about answer…1,000 m in 1 km …So answer is 1,000 times bigger
Solving Problems
Convert 142 km to m…
Looking for:
…the distance in meters
Given:
…distance = 142 kilometers
Relationships:
Ex. There are ? meters in 1 kilometer?
Solution:
Think about answer…1,000 m in 1 km
…So answer is 1,000 times bigger
…OR 1,000 X 142 = 142,000 m
…OR move decimal 3 places to right (make bigger)
= 142, 000

8. Convert 754,000 cm to km… Looking for: Given: Relationships: Solution:
Solving Problems
Convert 754,000 cm to km…
Looking for:
…the distance in kilometers
Given:
…distance = 754,000 centimeters
Relationships:
Ex. There are ? cm in 1 m?
There are ? m in 1 km?
Solution:
…100 cm in 1 m
So…754,000cm/100 cm= 7,540 m
…1000 m in 1 km
So…7,540m/1000 m= km

9. Converting Units
A conversion factor is a ratio that has the value of one.
This method of converting units is called dimensional analysis or factor label method.
To do the conversion you multiply 4.5 feet by a conversion factor.

10. Convert 4.5 ft to cm Looking for: Given: Relationships: Solution:
Solving Problems
Convert 4.5 ft to cm
Looking for:
You are asked for the distance in cm
Given:
You are given the distance in ft.
Relationships:
Ex. There are ? cm in 1 ft? cm = 1 ft
Solution:
Make a conversion factor from equivalent

11. Converting Units Use the correct conversion factor to convert:
175 yds. to m.
2.50 in. to mm.

12. 1. WS: “Metric Conversion 1”
2. WS #3.1: “Dimensional Analysis”