Metric System Conversions METRIC TERM ABBREVIATION STANDARD SYSTEM

Metric System & Conversions

METRIC TERM – ABBREVIATION – STANDARD SYSTEM COMPARISON Meter Gram Liter L* m Length g Volume Weight Inch, foot, yard, mile Ounce, pound Fluid ounce, cup, pint, quart, gallon *Capital L is commonly used to prevent confusion of lowercase I and the number 1.

TERM ABBREVIATION MEANING Kilo k Hecto Deci Centi Milli m h d c 1000 units 1/l. O or 1/100 or 1/l 0000 or O. 1 unit 0. 01 unit O. 001 unit

“More Than 1” Unit of Measure Weight: • 1. 0 hectogram = 100 grams • 1. 5 hectograms = 150 grams • 1. 0 kilogram = 1000 grams • 1. 5 kilograms = 1500 grams Length: • 1. 0 hecto meter = 100 meters • 1. 5 hectometers = 150 meters • 1. 0 kilometer = 1000 meters • 1. 5 kilometers = 1500 meters

“Less Than 1” Unit of Measure Length: • 1 decimeter (dm) = 1/10 or 0. 1 of a meter • 1 centimeter (cm) = 1/1 00 or 0. 01 of a meter • 1 millimeter (mm) = 1/1 000 or 0. 001 of a meter

Volume: • 1 deciliter (d. L) = 1/10 or 0. 1 of a liter • 1 milliliter (m. L) = 1/1 000 or 0. 001 of a liter

Basic Rules for the Metric System 1. Numbers less than one unit are written in decimals. Examples: 0. 1 0. 001 2. If there is no number before the decimal point, always add a zero. Examples: . 1 is 0. 1. 5 is 0. 5. 75 is 0. 75 3. Abbreviations are always singular, never plural. Examples: Grams is abbreviated g, not gs. Liters is abbreviated L, not Ls. Liter is always shortened to capital L, not lowercase I. 4. Leave a space between the number and the abbreviation. Examples: 10 g not l. Og. 1000 ml not l 000 ml.

The Metric Number Line: Another way to help you navigate inside the metric system. Kilo Hecto Deka * Deci 1000 10 1 0. 1 Centi Milli . 01 . 001

To use the Metric Line: 1. You will decide what unit you are changing FROM and what unit you are changing TO. 2. Starting at the FROM unit, count over (keeping in mind- "left" or "right") to the TO unit.

**This will be the number of places you will move the decimal in your answer. • EXAMPLE: 32 kilograms = ______ grams (This means you want to change FROM kilograms TO grams. ) Use the number line and count over, starting at Kilograms…. move to grams. K H D (grams) D * -> 1 place- ->2 places- -> 3 places C M

Now we use the number of places you moved (3 places to the "right") to find the answer. Move the decimal 3 places to the "right“ using a zero to hold each of the places 32 kilograms = 32000 grams Don’t forget that every whole number has a decimal to it’s right, so in our example 32 kg is the same as saying 32. 0 kg (We don’t always write the decimal to the right of a number but it is understood that it is there. )

Standard and Metric Units of Length

Measuring Devices: Fluid Ounces and Cubic Centimeters Graduate Baby’s bottle Measuring cup

Converting Pounds and Kilograms Converting pounds to kilograms: Multiply weight in pounds by 0. 45 Examples: 110 lb changed to kilograms: 110 x 0. 45 = 49. 5 kg 200 lb changed to kilograms: 200 x 0. 45 =90 kg Converting kilograms to pounds: Multiply weight in kilograms by 2. 2 Examples: 50 kg changed to pounds: 50 x 2. 2 = 110 lb 90 kg changed to pounds: 90 x 2. 2 = 198 lb

Converting Ounces to Metric Measurements • Converting ounces to cc/ml Multiply volume in ounces by 30 Examples: 1 oz medicine 1 × 30 = 30 ml = 30 cc 8 oz water 8 × 30 = 240 ml = 240 cc 6 oz soup 6 × 30 = 180 ml = 180 cc 4 oz juice 4 × 30 = 120 ml = 120 cc 12 oz soda pop 12 × 30 = 360 ml = 360 cc • Converting ounces to grams Multiply weight in ounces by 30 Examples: 1 oz changed to grams: 1 × 30 = 30 g 8 oz changed to grams: 8 × 30 = 240 g