1. How to convert within the metric system
METRIC CONVERSION
How to convert within the metric system
© Copyright   M. J. Krech. All rights reserved.

2. 1 x 10 = 10 10 X 10 = 100 10 x 100 = 1,000 The Metric System
is based on sets of 10.
1 x 10 = 10
10 X 10 = 100
10 x 100 = 1,000

3. King Henry Doesn’t Usually Drink Chocolate Milk
The mnemonic:
King Henry Doesn’t Usually Drink Chocolate Milk
Memorize      this!
Mnemonic = memory device!

4. How to convert within the Metric System:
Here’s a good device:
On your paper there is a line and 7 tick marks:

5. Next:
Above the tick marks write the King Henry mnemonic using a different color for each word:
King
Henry
Doesn’t
Usually
Drink
Chocolate
Milk

6. What does the first letter of each represent?
King
Henry
Doesn’t
Usually
Drink
Chocolate
Milk
Kilo-
Hecto-
Deka-
Deci-
Centi-
Milli-
UNIT!

7. Now, underline the first letter of each prefix, and write the single letter below!
King
Henry
Doesn’t
Usually
Drink
Chocolate
Milk
Kilo-
Hecto-
Deka-
Deci-
Centi-
Mili-
UNIT! k h da d c m

8. What would we put under Unit??
King
Henry
Doesn’t
Usually
Drink
Chocolate
Milk
Kilo-
Hecto-
Deka-
Deci-
Centi-
Mili-
UNIT! k h da d c m m l g

9. Let’s add the meter line
King
Henry
Doesn’t
Usually
Drink
Chocolate
Milk
Kilo-
Hecto-
Deka-
Deci-
Centi-
Mili-
UNIT! k h da d c m km hm dm cm mm
dam m l g

10. Let’s add the liter line
King
Henry
Doesn’t
Usually
Drink
Chocolate
Milk
Kilo-
Hecto-
Deka-
Deci-
Centi-
Mili-
UNIT! k h da d c m hm dm mm km
dam m l g cm dl cl kl hl ml
dal

11. Let’s add the gram line King Henry Doesn’t Usually Drink Chocolate
Milk
Kilo-
Hecto-
Deka-
Deci-
Centi-
Mili-
UNIT! k h da d c m km hm dm
dam m l g cm mm dl cl kl hl ml
dal kg cg hg
dag dg mg

12. How to use this device:
Look at the problem. Look at the unit that has a number. On the line put your pencil on that unit.
Move to new unit, counting jumps and noticing the direction of the jump.
Move decimal in original number the same # of spaces and in the same direction.

13. Example #1: Look at the problem. 56 cm = ______ mm
Look at the unit that has a number. 56 cm
On the line put your pencil on that unit.
k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm

14. Example #1: Move to new unit, counting jumps and
noticing the direction of the jump!
k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm
One jump to the right!

15. Example #1:
Move decimal in original number the same # of spaces and in the same direction.
56 cm = _____ mm
56.0.
One jump
to the right!
Move decimal one jump to the right.
Add a zero as a placeholder.

16. Example #1:
56 cm = _____ mm
56cm = 560 mm

17. Example #2: Look at the problem. 7.25 L = ____ kL
Look at the unit that has a number L
On the device put your pencil on that unit.
k h d u d c m
kl hl dal L dl cl ml

18. Example #2: Move to new unit, counting jumps and
noticing the direction of the jump!
k h d u d c m
kl hl dal L dl cl ml
Three jumps to the left!

19. .007.25 Example #2: Move decimal to the left three jumps.
(3) Move decimal in original number
the same # of spaces and in the same direction.
7.25 L = ____ kL
Three jumps
to the left!
Move decimal to the left three jumps.
Add two zeros as placeholders.

20. Example #2:
7.25 L = ____ kL
7.25 L = kL

21. Example #3: Try this problem on your own: 45,000 g = ____mg
k h d u d c m
kg hg dag g dg cg mg

22. 45,000.000. Example #3: Three jumps to the right! k h d u d c m
kg hg dag g dg cg mg
Three jumps to the right!
45,

23. Example #3:
45,000 g = 45,000,000 mg
Three jumps to the right!

24. Example #4: Try this problem on your own: 5 cm = ____ km k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm

25. .00005. Example #4: Five jumps to the left! k h d u d c m
km hm dam m dm cm mm
Five jumps to the left!

26. Example #4:
5 cm = km
Five jumps to the left!

27. Examples #5-9:
Solve these five problems on your own. Show your answers to your teacher.
You may choose to use any notes you have taken so far.

28. Examples #5-9: (5) 35 mm = ____ cm (6) 14,443 L = ____ kL
(7) kg = ____ g
(8)35.4 L = ____ mL
(9)16 mm = ____ km

29. One last caution: Be careful NOT
to count the spot you start from, where you put your pencil point.
Only count
the jumps!

30. The End