1. Metric Conversions used in Mr. Gallagher’s class
Notes

2. Metric System Is based on ‘10’
When using the standard system, sometimes you need 2 different measurements (ex. 5 ft 5 in)
With the metric system, you can convert to a single unit by moving a decimal place.

3. Metric Prefix Line: km hm dam m dm cm mm kL hL daL L dL cL mL kg hg
Kilo
Hecto
Deka
Unit
Deci
Centi
Milli km hm
dam m
(meter) dm cm mm kL hL
daL L
(liter) dL cL mL kg hg
dag G
(gram) dg cg mg

4. MNEMONIC:
King Henry Drinks Milk During Cold Months Lemonade Gatorade

5. Conversions:
1. It is all about the decimal place. ex. 10 cm = ? mm 2. Begin where you know. You are given 10 cm. If no decimal is present, the decimal is to the right of the numbers. 10 cm = 10.0 cm

6. 1 3. Move to where you want to go. Draw an arrow.
- you want “mm”. Notice that the arrow moves the decimal 1 place to the right.
Kilo Hecto Deka Unit Deci Centi Milli 1
= where you want to go (your target)
100

7. 1 5 1,500 m = 1.5 km Kilo Hecto Deka Unit Deci Centi Milli
1500 m = ? km
= where you want to go (your target)
1,500 m = 1.5 km

8. 1 7 17 cg = 0.17 g Kilo Hecto Deka Unit Deci Centi Milli 17 cg = ? g
17 cg = ? g
= where you want to go (your target)
17 cg = 0.17 g

9. 1 3 6 10.36 L = 10,360 mL Kilo Hecto Deka Unit Deci Centi Milli3 6
10.36 L = ? mL
= where you want to go (your target)
10.36 L = 10,360 mL

10. 1 5 3 2 1,532 mm = 1.532 m Kilo Hecto Deka Unit Deci Centi Milli
= where you want to go (your target)
1,532 mm = m

11. 5 6 56 kg = 560,000 dg Kilo Hecto Deka Unit Deci Centi Milli
56 kg = ? dg
= where you want to go (your target)
56 kg = 560,000 dg

12. What is the mnemonic device to help you remember the prefix(s) above?
King Henry Drinks Milk During Cold Months
Lemonade
Gatorade

13. What number is the metric system based on?10