1.5 Converting Metric Units

Metric Units of Measure

The meter (m) was defined as 1/10,000,000 of the distance between the North Pole and Equator.The basic unit of capacity in the metric system is the liter (L).The basic unit of mass in the metric system is the gram (g).

More Units of Measure

In the metric system, how would you measure:The distance from the school to the mall?The length of a paper clip?The amount of soda pop in a bottle?Your weight?

milli-

centi-

deci-

unit

deka-

hecto-

kilo-

m- c- d- da- h- k-

Little Unit ← Big Unit MULTIPLY

Little Unit → Big Unit DIVIDE

x10

x10

x10

x10

x10

x10

10 10 10 10 10 10

Complete each sentence.

1. 8.9 km = ____ m

2. 15 mm = ____ cm

3. 0.53 kg = ____ g

4. 140 mg = ____ g