Information: Converting Metric Units



Information: Converting Metric Units

As mentioned in the above section, there are specific units that scientists use to measure observable properties such as mass, volume and length. Mass is measured in grams. This means that a gram (g) is the “Base Unit” when measuring mass. 1000 grams = 1 kilogram. Kilo- is the prefix that means 1000. Below, you will see all the prefixes for metric units.

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To convert between measurements is like making change for a dollar. If I give you a dollar and you give me back 10 dimes that is the same amount. If I give you 1 meter, you will give me back 1000 millimeters, and those are also the same amount.

For example:

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One penny is 1/100th of a dollar OR it

takes 100 pennies to make a dollar. They

are equal amounts, but different units. To

convert to a smaller unit, move the

decimal point to the right (() or multiply!

It works the same when converting in metric units.

Bunny Hop Chart:

One millimeter is 1/1000th of a meter OR it

takes 1000 millimeters to make a meter. They

are equal amounts, but different units.

To convert to a larger unit, move the decimal

point to the left (() or divide!

To convert between metric measurements, all you do is move the decimal place. Use the “bunny hop” chart to determine the number and direction of hops. To convert to a larger unit, move the decimal point to the left (() or divide! To convert to a smaller unit, move the decimal point to the right (() or multiply! The numbers are still equal amounts; they are just in different units. For example, if I wanted to change meters into hectometers, I would follow these steps:

Converting Steps:

1. Place pencil on starting unit of bunny hop chart.

2. Hop (like the big blue arrows) to the unit you want to convert to.

3. Count the number of hops made, not the number of boxes.

4. Move the decimal place of the number you are converting the same number and direction you hopped on the chart.

Looking at the bunny hop chart above, you can see that the starting unit was millimeters. Two hops were made to the left to end in decimeters. So, if the number you started with was 10000 mm, you would end up with 100 dm.

Important note: If you cannot see the decimal place, you must draw it in at the right hand end of the number. Example: 100 = 100.

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. In the space below, draw out a line that is

a. 20 cm

b. 200 mm

2. In the space below, draw out a line that is

a. 110 mm

b. 11 cm

3. What do you notice about the two lines in question 1?

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4. What do you notice about the two lines in question 2?

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5. Are 20 cm and 200 mm the same amounts?

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6. Are 110 mm and 11 cm the same amounts?

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7. How many centimeters are in a meter?

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8. How many meters are in a kilometer?

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9. Where is the decimal place located on a number if you can’t see it?

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10. What does the prefix hecto- mean?

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kilo-

(k)

1000

hecto-

(h)

100

deka-

(dk)

10

Base

Unit

deci-

(d)

1/10

centi-

(c)

1/100

milli-

(m)

1/1000

$1000

1000

$100

100

$10

10

Base

Unit

$1.00

$0.10

1/10

$0.01

1/100

deci-

(d)

1/10

Base

Unit:

meters

deka-

(dk)

10

hecto-

(h)

100

milli-

(m)

1/1000

kilo-

(k)

1000

centi-

(c)

1/100

Teacher’s Initials

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