Metric Conversions
used in Mr. Gallagher’s class
Notes
Metric System
Is based on ‘10’
When using the
standard system,
sometimes you need 2 different
measurements (ex. 5 ft 5 in)
With the metric system, you can
convert to a single unit by moving a
decimal place.
Metric Prefix Line:
Kilo
Hecto Deka
km
hm
Unit
dam m
Deci
Centi
Milli
dm
cm
mm
dL
cL
mL
dg
cg
mg
(meter)
kL
hL
daL
L
(liter)
kg
hg
dag
G
(gram)
MNEMONIC:
King Henry Drinks Milk During Cold Months
Lemonade
Gatorade
Conversions:
1. It is all about the decimal place.
ex. 10 cm = ? mm
2. Begin where you know.
You are given 10 cm. If no decimal is
present, the decimal is to the right of
the numbers.
10 cm = 10.0 cm
3. Move to where you want to go. Draw an arrow.
- you want “mm”. Notice that the arrow moves the
decimal 1 place to the right.
Kilo
Hecto
Deka Unit
Deci
1
Centi
0
Milli
0
= where you want to go (your target)
100
Kilo
1
Hecto
5
0
Deka Unit
Deci
Centi
0
1500 m = ? km
= where you want to go (your target)
1,500 m = 1.5 km
Milli
Kilo
Hecto
Deka Unit
Deci
1
Centi
7
17 cg = ? g
= where you want to go (your target)
17 cg = 0.17 g
0
Milli
Kilo
Hecto
Deka Unit
1
0
Deci
3
Centi
6
10.36 L = ? mL
= where you want to go (your target)
10.36 L = 10,360 mL
Milli
0
Kilo
Hecto
Deka Unit
1
Deci
5
Centi
3
1,532 mm = ? m
= where you want to go (your target)
1,532 mm = 1.532 m
Milli
2
Kilo
5
6
Hecto
0
0
Deka Unit
0
Deci
Centi
Milli
0
56 kg = ? dg
= where you want to go (your target)
56 kg = 560,000 dg
What is the mnemonic device to
help you remember the prefix(s)
above?
King Henry Drinks Milk During Cold Months
Lemonade
Gatorade
What number is the metric
system based on?
10