This system is notated by by the following prefixes:
Left of the base unit are the bigger units, and to the right of the base unit are the smaller units.
To measure time, the metric system uses seconds.
Remember: 60 seconds = 1 minute, 60 minutes = 1 hour
How can we use the concept:
Identify the base unit being used: meter (length), gram (weight), or liter (capacity), then use the following concept to find the bigger or smaller unit:
- To go from a bigger unit to a smaller one, multiply by 10.
Example: There are 3 kilograms, how many grams are there?
1 kg = 1000 g
So, 1000 g x 3 kg = 3000 g
3 kg = 3000 g
Notice how there are more of the smaller units because you need more units when it is smaller to make up the bigger unit.
- To go from a smaller unit to a bigger one, divide by 10.
Example: There are 3000 grams, how many kilograms are there?
1000 g = 1 kg
So, 3000 g/ 1000 g = 3 kg
3000 g = 3 kg
Sample Math Problems
Question
How many meters are in 6 km?
Solution
1 km = 1000 m
6 km = 6 x 1000
6 km = 6000 m
Question
How many milligrams are in 200 kg?
Solution
We need to solve from kg → mg; so, we will go from kg → g → mg
First, we convert from kilograms to grams:
1 kg = 1000 g
200 kg = 200 x 1000
200 kg = 200,000 g
Then, we convert from grams to milligrams:
1 g = 1000 mg
200,000 g = 200,000 x 1000
200,000 g = 200,000,000 mg
Question
If a car needs to travel 2,800,000 cm. How many meters does it need to travel?
Solution
We need to solve from cm → km; so, we will go from cm → m → km
First, we convert from centimeters to meters:
100 cm = 1 m
2,800,000 cm = 2,800,000/100
2,800,000 cm = 28,000 m
Then, we convert from meters to kilometers
1,000 m = 1 km
28,000 m = 28,000/1000
28,000 m = 28 km
Question
Which of the following has a mass of about 2000 kg?
Solution
- A skateboard → pretty light compared to the others
- A bicycle → probably around 5 kg - 10 kg depending
- An airplane → way more than just 2000 kg
- An average car → around 2000 kg.
Question
How many liters are in 20,871 milliliters?
Solution
1000 mL = 1 L
20,871 mL = 20,871/1000
20,871 mL = 20 L and 871 mL
