Metric Conversions

Lesson 1.4

Core Focus onRatios, Rates and Statistics

1. Roger has 6 green olives and 4 black olives.

a) Write the ratio of Roger’s green olives to his black olives.

b) Write the ratio of Roger’s green olives to his total number of olives.

2. Complete each conversion.

a) 18 inches = _____ feet

b) 2 tons = _____ pounds

Warm-Up

1.5

4,000

32

35

Metric Conversions

Convert metric measurements.

Lesson 1.4

Good to Know!The metric system of measurement is used all over the world. The metric system is a base-ten, or decimal, system of measurement.

Meter: defines metric units of length.

Gram: defines metric units of mass.

Liter: defines metric units of volume.

The prefix measurement relates the unit to a meter, gram or liter.

Choose a reasonable estimate. Explain your reasoning for each choice.

a. weight of paperclip: 1 gram or 1 kilogram

1 gram. It is helpful to estimate the weight of 1 gram by thinking of 1 gram as the weight of a paperclip.

b. length of van: 4 kilometers or 4 meters

4 meters. A meter is a little longer than a yard which is three feet. So 4 meters is slightly longer than 12 feet.

c. water in a personal water bottle: 1 milliliter or 1 liter

1 liter. One liter could be the size of a large personal water bottle. A drop of water would be a good

estimate for 1 milliliter.

Example 1

Using the information in the conversion table, find the number of centimeters in 60 millimeters.

Each pair of millimeter and centimeter valuesshow the ratio of millimeters to centimeters.Choose any ratio and write it as a fraction.Simplify the ratio, if needed.

Find an equivalent ratio with 60 millimeters.

There are 6 centimeters in 60 millimeters.

Example 2

millimeters 10 20 30 50 60

centimeters 1 2 3 5 ?

10 1 mmcm

Complete the conversion.

a. 2 kilometers = ________ meters

Find the conversion factor. 1 kilometer = 1000 meters

Multiply 2 kilometers by 1,000. 2 1000 = 2000

2 kilometers = 2,000 meters.

Example 3

When converting from one metric unit to another, you

will multiply or divide by 10, 100, 1000, …

Complete the conversion.

b. 3.9 kilogram = ________ grams

Find the conversion factor. 1 kilogram = 1000 grams

Multiply 3.9 kilograms by 1,000. 3.9 1000 = 3900

3.9 kilograms = 3,900 grams.

Example 3 Continued…

Complete the conversion.

c. 4,000 meters = ________ kilometers

Find the conversion factor. 1 kilometer = 1000 meters

Divide 4,000 meters by 1,000. 4000 1000 = 4

4,000 meters = 4 kilometers.

Example 3 Continued…

Complete the conversion.

d. 650 centimeters = ________ meters

Find the conversion factor. 1 meter = 100 centimeters

Divide 650 centimeters by 100. 650 100 = 6.5

650 centimeters = 6.5 meters.

Example 3 Continued…

How does the prefix on a metric unit help you determine the size of the metric unit?

Communication Prompt

Complete each conversion.

1. 8 meters = ________ centimeters

2. 600 meters = ________ kilometers

3. 19 kilograms = ________ grams

Exit Problems

800

0.6

19,000