Section 4.2 – Conversions within the Metric System
Three Methods for converting within the Metric System
Moving the Decimal Place – “Decimal Hop”:
Ex 1: Convert by moving the decimal place
a) 2400 mL
=
___________________ L
b) 0.53 g
=
___________________ kg
c) 432 m
=
___________________ mm
d) 34,000,000 mcm
=
___________________ m
Ratio-Proportion Method:
Ex 2: Convert using the ration-proportion method
a) 45.23 m = ___________________ mm
c) 8.26 kL = ___________________ L
b) 0.254 L = ___________________ kL
d) 547 kg = ___________________ mg
Dimensional Analysis:
Ex 3: Convert (the same metric measurements as Ex 2) using dimensional analysis
a) 45.23 m = ___________________ mm
b) 0.254 L = ___________________ kL
When multiple conversions are needed to reach the desired units:
Ex 4: Sometimes in dimensional analysis we have to use “chaining” to reach our desired units
a) 547 kg = ___________________ mg
b) 7.89 kL = ___________________ mL
c) 4,660,000 mcg = ___________________ g