The metric system is the measurement system most commonly used
in science. Metric units are sometimes called SI units. SI stands for
International System because these units are used around the world.
These prefixes are used in the metric system:
kilo- means thousand
1 kilometer equals 1,000 meters
milli- means one-thousandth
1,000 millimeters equals 1 meter
centi- means hundredths
100 centimeters equals 1 meter
Length and Distance
One meter is longer than 1 foot.
1 meter
Volume
1 foot
Area
One liter is
greater than
4 cups.
square
centimer
1 liter
square
inch
1 cup
Temperature
Mass
Water freezes
at 0°C or 32°F.
Water boils at
100°C or 212°F.
One kilogram is greater
than 1 pound.
1 pound
1 kilogram
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