Converter’s Creed
I (state your name) am aware that converting between units may seem weird and confusing. However, I am
also aware of my ability to accomplish anything that I want to,
especially when I maintain a positive attitude. I vow to keep an open
mind and refrain from complaining as I begin to learn about these
processes. I will be successful in the end.
Raise yourright hand and
repeat afterme!
Level of CertificationSTANDARD
This certificate is awarded to
Who successfully completed the Conversion Courseoffered by Howell Middle School South.
With this certificate, the aforementioned studentcan perform a variety of conversions upon request.
___________________Mr. Jones – 7th Science
HMSS
Date of Issuance:______Certificate #:_________
Levels of Certification
• Levels of Certification are assigned dependent on the grade level achieved on the “Conversion Examination”
• Levels are as follows:90 - 100% Advanced80 - 89% Standard≤ 79% Provisional
Practice Problems1. How many milligrams are in 3.6 kilograms?
2. Convert 15 liters to centiliters
3. How many hm are in 12.67 mm?
4. Convert 128,650 mL to daL
5. Jason ran 1.61 km. How many meters did he run?
3,600,000 milligrams
1,500 centiliters
0.0001267 hm
12.865 daL
1,610 meters
The Metric SystemThe system of measurement utilized by the International System of Units or the Système International d'Unités (SI). This system was established to provide consistency related to weights and measures and is the primary system of measurement used around the world (however, not in the United States). Each measurement within this system consists of a base unit (liter, meter, gram, etc.) usually attached to a prefix (kilo, hecto, deca, deci, centi, milli, etc.). One can easily navigate, or convert, within the metric system by multiplying or dividing by a power of 10. In other words, by simply moving the decimal point to the right or the left, it is possible to convert from one unit of measure to another within this system.
Example
5 kilometers = 5,000 meters = 5,000,000 millimeters
Each of these conversions were made by simply moving the decimal point to the right or the left
Prefixes
Symbol Prefix Numerical Expression Factor
T tera- 1 000 000 000 0001012
G giga- 1 000 000 000 109
M mega- 1 000 000106
k kilo- 1 000 103
h hecto- 100 102
da dek(c)a 10 101
NO PREFIX (UNIT) 1 100
d deci- 0.1 10-1
c centi- 0.01 10-2
m milli- 0.001 10-3
μ micro- 0.00000110-6
n nano- 0.000000001 10-9
The chart below provides a list of some commonly used prefixes
Units
The chart below provides a list of some commonly used units
Units Symbol Used to Measure:
liter L volumemeter m distance/lengthgram g mass (weight)Joule J energysecond s timePascal Pa pressure
Combining Prefixes and Units
milligram (mg)
milli gram
Prefixestera (T)giga (G)
mega (M)kilo (k)
hecto (h)dek(c)a
(da)deci (d)centi (c)milli (m)micro (µ)nano (n)
Unitsliter (L)
meter (m)gram (g)Joule (J)
second (s)Pascal (Pa)
*The lists of prefixes & units are not all-inclusive
+ =
kilo + liter =
kiloliter (kL)
centi+meter=
centimeter (cm)
Values in the metric system must contain a unit and the units are typically preceded by a prefix
kilo hecto
deka
UNITS
Gram
Liter
Meter
UNITS
deci centi
milli
Metric Map“Use it to help guide you through the metric
system”
How To Use Your Map
1) Identify your starting point - this is the number followed by a prefix/unit.2) Identify your final destination – this is the prefix/unit you want in the end.3) Count the number of steps/places from the starting point to the final destination.4) Move the decimal point the number of steps between the two locations, in the
same direction.
*This map does not show all prefixes and units
0
kilo hecto
deka Gram deci centi
milli
Practice Problem 1
How many milligrams are in 3.6 kilograms?
Starting point Final Destination
3 6kg00000 mg3,600,000 mg•Direction:•Steps:
6
kilo hecto
deka Liter deci centi
milli
Practice Problem 2
Convert 15 liters to centiliters
Starting point Final Destination
1 5 0
L00cL1,500 cL
•Direction:•Steps:
2
kilo hecto
deka Meter deci centi
milli
Practice Problem 3
How many hm are in 12.67 mm?
Starting pointFinal Destination
1 2 67
mm0000 hm0.0001267 hm•Direction:•Steps:
5
kilo hecto
deka Liter deci centi
milli
Practice Problem 4
Convert 128,650 mL to daL
Starting pointFinal Destination
1 2 8 6 5 0 0
mLdaL12.865 daL•Direction:•Steps:
4
m
kilo hecto
deka Meter deci centi
milli
Practice Problem 5
Jason ran 1.61 km. How many meters did he run?
Starting point Final Destination
1 6 1
km001,610 m•Direction:•Steps:
3
Helpful Acrostic
Try to create your own acrostic to help you remember the prefixes and their order. This
will be important because you will not receivethe metric map on your quiz.
kay hit dog ARF! dog can’t
move
Thank you for the acrostic Mrs. Eisenhower – Marblehead, MA