Metric Conversions &
Scientific Notation
IPC NOTES
THE METRIC SYSTEM
The metric system is based on powers of 10 to make converting easier.
In order to convert from one metric unit to another, all you will need to do is move the decimal point.
BASE UNITS
The metric system combines various base units with different prefixes.
The most commonly used base units are meters, liters and grams.
COMMON METRIC PREFIXESKilo = 1,000 times the base unit
Hecto = 100 times the base unit
Deka = 10 times the base unit
Deci = 0.1 of the base unit (or 1/10 th)
Centi = 0.01 of the base unit (or 1/100 th)
Mili = 0.001 of the base unit (or 1/1,000 th)
COMMON METRIC PREFIXESMemorize the following phrase to remember the common metric prefixes in order:
King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk
Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili
OTHER METRIC PREFIXESTera = 1 trillion times the base unit
Giga = 1 billion times the base unit
Mega = 1million times the base unit
Micro = 1/millionth of the base unit
Nano = 1/billionth of the base unit
Pico = 1/trillionth of the base unit
READING METRIC UNITSIf a unit only has 1 letter, it is a base unit (usually meters, liters or grams).
If a unit has more than 1 letter, it is a combination of a prefix with a base unit.
DEKA VS. DECIDeka is typically abbreviated as “dk”
ex) dekameter = dkm
Deci is typically abbreviated as simply “d”
ex) decimeter = dm
READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:
g
grams
READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:
mg
miligrams
READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:
hL
hectoliters
READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:
m
meters
READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:
dg
decigrams
READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:
dkL
dekaliters
USING THE METRIC SCALEWrite the common prefixes in order:
Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili
Put your finger on the starting unit and count the number of places to the left or right to arrive at the new unit. Move the decimal the same number of places and in the same direction to get the answer.
PRACTICE PROBLEM #1Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili
4.38 cm = __________ mm
PRACTICE PROBLEM #2Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili
6.35 cm = __________ m
PRACTICE PROBLEM #3Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili
4.38 kg = __________ g
PRACTICE PROBLEM #4Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili
105 dL = __________ hL
PRACTICE PROBLEM #5Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili
4 dkg = __________ mg
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
Scientific notation is used to write really large or really small numbers.
ex) 0.0000000000000089
8.9x10-15
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
Numbers written with scientific notation have a number written times 10 to a certain power.
ex) 0.0000000000000089
8.9x10-15
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
A positive exponent represents a large number.
A negative exponent represents a small number.
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
The exponent tells you how many spaces to move the decimal to either the left or the right.
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #1
Write the following number without using scientific notation:
1.56x10-4
0.000156
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #2
Write the following number without using scientific notation:
8.4x105
840,000
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #3
Write the following number using scientific notation:
65,000
6.5x104
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #4
Write the following number using scientific notation:
0.0032
3.2x10-3
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #5
Write the following number using scientific notation:
0.00000004
4x10-8