Measurements and Metrics

Background Information

Ancient measurements were based on: (1) body parts, such as hands

and feet (2) food, such as grains of rice

Used in nearly every country in the world, the Metric System (SI) was devised by French scientists in the late 18th century

Did You Know?

1) The metric system is based on powers of 10 so it is much easier to convert units, often just by moving the decimal point.

2) Once you remember the meaning of the prefixes, you can easily convert mass, volume and distance measurements. No further conversion factors need to be memorized except the specific power of 10. But for the English System you have to remember 5280 ft = 1 mile, 4 quarts = 1 gallon, 3 feet = 1 yard, 16 oz. = 1 lb, etc.

3) The metric system is a international standard used by nearly all the countries of the world. There are actually only *three* countries (i.e. United States, Liberia and Burma) that are still using the English system.

The goal of this effort was to produce a system that used the decimal point rather than fractions

Also wanted a single unified system that could be used throughout the world

Length

Meter (m)= base unit Kilometer (km) = 1000

meters Centimeter (cm)= one-

hundredth of a meter Millimeter (mm)= one-

thousandth of a meter

Mass

Gram (g) = base unit

Kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams

Milligram (mg) = one-thousandth of a gram

Volume Liter (L) = base unit Milliliter (mL) = one-

thousandth of a liter Cubic centimeter (cm3) 1 mL = 1 cm3 = 1 cc

*Volume of regular object = use ruler L x W x H

Converting with Metric System

When converting with the metric system it is simply a measure of moving the decimal in the correct direction

SI units are based on units of 10

Sentence to remember: King Henry Died in Space Drinking Chocolate

Milk Kilo Hecto Deca Space (meter, liter, gram) Deci Centi Milli

Where is the Decimal? What is the difference between $20 and

$20.00? A whole number always has a decimal that

follows it, even if you don’t see it! Add the decimal to the number before you

convert!

20 . =

Metric Conversion Ladder

Find the spot (unit) on the ladder that has the same prefix as the measurement you are starting with

Locate the spot on the ladder that you want to convert your number to

Count the number of steps you must move on the ladder to make your conversion

Move the decimal in your original number this same number of steps and in the same direction (don't forget the Base step)