Meters, Grams and Liters

Meters, Grams and Liters

The Metric SystemThe metric system is a measurement system based on our decimal (base 10) number system.

Other countries and all scientists and engineers use the metric system for measurement.

Metric Prefixes

Metric UnitsThe metric system has prefix modifiers that are multiples of 10.

Place Values of Metric Prefixes

MetersMeters measure length or distanceOne millimeter is about the thickness of a dime.

MetersOne centimeter is about the width of a large paper clip

or your fingernail.

MetersA meter is about the width of a doorway

MetersA kilometer is about six city blocks or 10 football fields.

1.6 kilometers is about 1 mile

GramGrams are used to measure mass or the weight of an object.

GramsA milligram weighs about as much as a grain of salt.

Grams1 gram weighs about as much as a small paper clip.

1 kilogram weighs about as much as 6 apples or 2 pounds.

LitersLiters measure liquids or capacity.

Liter1 milliliter is about the amount of one drop

Liter1 liter is half of a 2 liter bottle of Coke or other soda

LiterA kiloliter would be about 500 2-liter bottles of pop

Which unit would you use to measure the length of this bicycle? kmmcmmm

Which unit would you use to measure the mass of a penny? kmgcLmg

Which unit would you use to measure the water in an aquarium? LmcLmg

Which unit would you use to measure the mass of a feather? LmcLmg

Which unit would you use to measure the mass of a student desk? kggcLmg

Which unit would you use to measure the mass of a whole watermelon? kggcLmg

Which unit would you use to measure the mass of an egg? kggmmmg

Which unit would you use to measure a can of soup? kLLmmmL

Which unit would you use to measure this glass of milk? kLLcLmL

Which unit would you use to measure the distance across Kansas? kmmcmmL

Which unit would you use to measure the height of a tree? kmmcmmm

Which unit would you use to measure the length of a bracelet? kmmcmmm

Changing Metric UnitsTo change from one unit to another in the metric system you simply multiply or divide by a power of 10.

To change from a larger unit to a smaller unit, you need to multiply.1 km x 1000 = 1000 m1 m x 100 = 100 cm1 cm x 10 = 10mm

Place Values of Metric PrefixesMove the decimal point to the right to multiply.

Place Values of Metric Prefixes

To change from smaller units to larger units you divide by a power of ten.1000mm 10 = 100cm100cm 10 = 10dm10dm 10 = 1m

Place Values of Metric PrefixesMove the decimal point to the left to divide.

Place Values of Metric Prefixes

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