Metric System
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Transcript of Metric System
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)