The Wonderful World of
Metrics!
Introduction
 The metric system is a different
way of measuring things. The
practice is the same, but different
units are involved.
 Can you think of any metric
measurements that you have seen
or heard?
The “Basics”
 The metric system uses SI base units as a
foundation. Those units are…..
 Meter (m) – a measure of distance
 Liter (L) – a measure of volume
 Kilogram (kg) – a measure of mass

(this is the only one that uses a prefix! More on that soon…)
 Second (s) – a measure of time
 Kelvin (K) – a measure of temperature
 Mole (mol) – a measure of an amount
 Amp (A) – Measure of current
The “Basics”
 Every measurement will include one
of the base words.
 The metric system uses Prefixes too.
 Every prefix is related to the base
units. But how is that possible…
Pioneering the Prefixes
 Lets start with the prefixes for large measurements….
 KILO (k)
 HECTO (h)
 DECA (da)
1 kilometer = 1000 meters
1 Hectoliter = 100 liters
1 Decagram = 10 grams
 Remember Meters, Liters, Grams, and Seconds are
the base units. They will be in every measurement.
Pioneering the Prefixes
 How about the small measurements…
 DECI (d) – 1 decimeter = 1/10 meter
 CENTI (c) – 1 centiliter = 1/100 liter
 MILLI (m) – 1 milligram = 1/1000 gram
 Remember, these prefixes are always added to the
base root word
 But that’s so confusing….isn’t there an easier way to
remember all this?
Good ol’ King Henry
King Henry Died by Drinking Chocolate Milk
Kilo
Hecto
Deca
Base
Deci
Centi
Milli
Can you Think of your own?
Converting Skillz
 When you are converting from one unit to another
unit


First figure out what you are starting with
Then where (which direction) you are going!
 If you move to the right (aka big to small) then you
move the decimal to the right.
 If you move to the left (aka small to big) then you
move the decimal to the left.
Practice makes Perfect!
Try this one.
1 meter = ______ hectometer
1st- Figure out your starting point and where you are
going!
K h da b d c m
2nd – Find the Decimal and move it the same way and
number you moved in step 1.
Practice makes Perfect!
And this one.
2.5 kilograms = ______ grams
1st- Figure out your starting point and where you are
going!
K h da b d c m
2nd – Find the Decimal and move it the same way and
number you moved in step 1.
Practice makes Perfect!
Last one!
17.504 deciliters = ______ decaliters
1st- Figure out your starting point and where you are
going!
K h da b d c m
2nd – Find the Decimal and move it the same way and
number you moved in step 1.
Precision vs Accuracy
 Precision
 A measure of the degree to which the measurements made (and
made in the same way) agree with each other
 Accuracy
 Degree to which the experimental value agrees with the true or
accepted value
 So, can measurements be precise without being
accurate?
Precision vs Accuracy