Metric Conversions

T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/

What are Metric Conversions?

• Sometimes we need to change from one measurement to another.

• This is usually done because the unit that is used is either too big or too small

for that type of measurement.

TOO BIG !!!

525,568 millimeters

Sometimes the number is too big for the unit being measured.

Too Small

0.00654 km

Sometimes the number is too small for the unit being

measured

How do you convert a unit

1st – Determine your starting point.

2nd – Count the “jumps” to your ending point.

3rd – Move the decimal the same number of jumps in the same direction.

4 km = _________ m

1

1

1

How many jumps does it take?

Starting Point Ending Point

4.1

__.2

__.3

__. = 4000 m

Giga1 000 000 000 unit

Mega1000 000 unit

kilo1000 unit

Hecto100 unit

Deka10 unit

Basic1 unit

Deci0,1 unit

Centi0,01 unit

Milli0,001 unit

Micro0,000001 unit

Nano0,00000001 unit

MetersLitersGrams

3

3

3

3

Try these conversions

1000 mg = _______ g 1 L = _______ mL 160 cm = _______ mm

14 km = _______ m 109 g = _______ kg 250 m = _______ km

Conversion Practice

Compare using <, >, or =.

56 cm 6 m 7 g 698 mg

0,001 1000 1600

14.000 0,109 0,25

<

<

Giga1 000 000 000

Mega (3)1000 000

0.004

kilo1000 u

4 Km

Hecto100 u

40 Hm

Deka10 u

400 Dm

Basic1 u

4000 m

deci0,1 u

0,00025

centi0,01 u

0,0025

milli0,001 u

0.025

micro0,000001 u

25

nano0,000000001 u

3

3

3

3

Multiply

Divide

42 μm = dm

Multiply

Divide

42100000

Number of jumps

5

42.0.00042 dm

5

Multiply

Divide

50 Gg = Dg50 X 100000000Number of

jumps

8 50. 8

5000 000 000 Dg

Write the correct abbreviation for each metric unit.

1) Kilogram _____ 4) Milliliter _____ 7) Kilometer _____

2) Meter _____ 5) Millimeter _____ 8) Centimeter _____

3) Gram _____ 6) Liter _____ 9) Milligram _____

Try these conversions, using the ladder method.

10) 2000 mg = _______ g 15) 5 L = _______ mL 20) 16 cm = _______ mm

11) 104 km = _______ m 16) 198 g = _______ kg 21) 2500 m = _______ km

12) 480 cm = _____ m 17) 75 mL = _____ L 22) 65 g = _____ mg

13) 5.6 kg = _____ g 18) 50 cm = _____ m 23) 6.3 cm = _____ mm

14) 8 mm = _____ cm 19) 5.6 m = _____ cm 24) 120 mg = _____ g

Metric Conversion Challenge

2

104000

4,80

56000

0,008

5000

0,198

0,075

0,50

560

160

2,5

65000

630

0,12