Using and Converting Metric Measures
Continued
How to Convert Metric Measures
Use the following steps to convert from
one metric unit to another:
- Find the known
unit on the table below.
- Find the unit to which you are converting
on the table below.
- Note whether or not the new unit is to the right
or left of the known unit. The decimal point in the known unit will
be moved in the same
direction.
- Find out how many places to move the decimal point by counting
how many lines are crossed when you go from the known quantity to
the unknown quantity. Add zeros if you need more places.
| |
Basic Unit |
|
Prefixes of Metric System |
kilo
(k) |
hecto
(h) |
deca
(da) |
metre (m)
gram (g)
litre (l) |
deci
(d) |
centi
(c) |
milli
(m) |
Place Value in Decimal System |
1,000 |
100 |
10 |
1 |
0.1 |
0.01 |
0.001 |
Example: 46 m = ? mm
If we look at the table we see that millimeter is to the
right of metre. There are three (3) lines between metre and milli. Therefore,
the
decimal point should be moved three (3) places to the right.
46.000 m = 46,000
mm
Example: 8.2 cm = ? Km
Kilometre is to the left of centimetre. Five (5) lines
must be crossed. Therefore, the decimal point is moved five (5) places to the
left.
0002.8 cm = 0.000028 km |