1. The Metric System
System of measurement used in most countries of the world
Designed to be easy to use since it’s based on powers of ten
Correct name is the “International System of Units” or SI for short

2. Green- using metric system Gray-don’t use metric system

3. It’s easier, once you learn it

4. Built on a Root Mass is measured in Grams (g)
Each property of matter has a root word that is the base measurement for that property
For example:
Mass is measured in Grams (g)
Volume is measured in Liters (L)
Distance is measured in Meters (m)

5. Not everything is the same size in our world so we need to match the object with its correct measurement

6. For a value BIGGER than the base use
To change the value of the root (make it bigger or smaller), you add a prefix
For a value BIGGER than the base use
Deka (Da or Dk) – 10 times bigger than the root
Hecto (H) – 100 times bigger
Kilo (K) – 1000 times bigger
For a smaller value use
Deci (d)–1/10 of the root (10 times smaller than the root)
Centi (c) -1/100 of the root (100 times smaller)
Milli (m)-1/1000 of the root (1,000 times smaller)

7. Why do Metric Conversions & what are they anyway?
Sometimes we need to change from one measurement value to another.
This is usually done because the unit that is used is either too big or too small for that type of measurement.

9. Some numbers in science are TOO BIG !!!
525,568 millimeters
Sometimes the number is too big for the item being measured and the unit used

10. Some numbers in Science are Too Smallkm
Sometimes the number is too small for the item being measured and the unit used

11. What are Metric Conversions?
Metric conversions allow us to match the numbers to the units so they are “just right”

12. Matching units and number values:
Use a process called Metric Conversion. When you do a Metric Conversion, you are changing from one unit value of measurement to another.

13. In English system conversion, you have to change the number value and unit when moving from one unit to another: one foot can be changed into 12 inches or 1/3 of a yard
In the metric system, the number value is kept the same but the decimal place is changed when the units are changed

15. So How Do I Do Metric Conversion?
We will be using a method called The Stair-step Method of Metric Conversion.
It requires you to move the decimal in the number.
That’s it, no other math involved!

16. You can do Metric Conversions if you can:
Count Up to Six
Know Your Left From Your Right
Remember the prefix order using:
King-Henry-Died-By-
Drinking-Chocolate-
Milk
(Kilo, Hecto, Deca, base unit, deci, centi, mili)

18. The Stair-step: Copy the metrics “stairs” below onto your notes and add the values & abbreviations for each prefix to your notes
Kilo-
(K) Hecto-
(H) Deka-
(Da or Dk) base units
deci-
(d) centi-
(c) milli-
(m)
Grams, liters,meters
1,000 X base unit
100
X base unit 10
X base unit
1/1,000 of base unit
1/10 of base unit
1/100 of base unit
King-Henry-Died-By-Drinking-Chocolate-Milk

19. Example: Converting between units by using the basic unit for distance-meter- and the Stair stepKm Hm
Dam M dm cm mm
METERS
King-Henry-Died-By-Drinking-Chocolate-Milk

20. How Do I Use This?
5.0 K m
_?_H m
-The first letter of the The first letter of the prefix in the first unit second unit tells you of measurement tells which step to stop on which step to start on.
Find which step to start on, and count the number of steps it takes to get to the step that you need to stop on.

21. The Stair-step : METER Km Hm
Dam M dm cm mm
METERS

22. How Do I Use This (cont.)? 5.0 K m _50_H m
If you went to the right(downstairs) the decimal in the first measurement moves that many places to the right.
If you went to the left (upstairs) then the decimal moves to the left. Fill any empty places with zeros.
5.0 K m
_50_H m

23. Important thing to remember:
Numbers are meaningless without units
Scientists are very traditional:
no naked numbers!
So….put a unit on all numbers!!!

24. mm = ? m
In this example, you start with millimeters (mm) at the bottom of the stairs and move “upstairs” three places to meters.
The decimal in mm moves three places to the left, becoming m.

25. 0.00654 km = ? m Use the stair step to do this one in your notes:
km becomes
6.54 m

26. Whiteboard Practice Problems
Write the answers to the following practice problems in your notes
Remember, this is for practice: if you don’t get it right the first time, try again, its for PRACTICE
Also, it’s for points as notes: you will lose participation points if you do not show me your answers

27. 1.45m  ___ cm
1450 cm
145 cm
14.5 cm
0.145 cm cm cm
:00

28. The Stair-step : METER
Km- Hm
Dam
1.45 M dm
145 cm mm

29. 4.0 mm  ___ dm
0.04 dm
0.4 dm
4 dm
40 dm
400 dm

30. The Stair-step : METER
Km- Hm
Dam M
0.04 dm cm
4.0mm

31. 0.022 Hm  __Dam
Dam
0.22 Dam
2.2 Dam
22 Dam

32. The Stair-step : METER
Km- Hm
0.22 Dam M dm cm mm

33. 0.108 km  ___ m m m
1.08 m
10.8 m
108 m
1080 m

34. The Stair-step : METER
0.108 Km- Hm
Dam
108 M dm cm mm

35. 5 km  ___ mm mm mm
.5 mm
500 mm
50,000 mm
5,000,000 mm

36. The Stair-step : METER
5 km Km Hm
Dam M dm cm
5,000,000 mm

37. Be able to count up to six and know your left from your right.
Hey! This Is Easy!
You bet it’s easy! Like it said on the first slide…..
Be able to count up to six and know your left from your right.
Now, get your stair-step sheet and your practice problems and do some more conversions on the Metrics Mania Worksheet!