1. THE METRIC SYSTEM

2. History of the Metric System
Originally called:
Systeme Internationale d’Unites
Developed in France way back in 1791 so that there would be a standard measurement system for everyone.
The World Standards Committee modernized it in 1960

3. WHY DO WE USE THE METRIC SYSTEM?
Almost all other countries are using the metric system (So what?)
Other countries’ companies are refusing to buy products from the U.S. if not labeled in metric units (Yikes! Fair or Unfair?)
Scientists need a universal way to communicate data (Why is that important?)

4. APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS BETWEEN METRIC & US LENGTH UNITS
A meter is about the same length as a yard
A meter is about three feet long
1 and a half kilometers is about a mile
An inch is about 25 millimeters
A foot contains about 30 centimeters
Apps that do it for you...
Metrics Conversion
Android
Converter
Apple
I have this one!

5. WHAT DOES THE METRIC SYSTEM MEASURE?
The gram measures mass or how much something weighs; triple beam balance
The meter measures the length of an object or the distance from place to place; meter stick
The square meter measures the area of a space; meter stick
The volume of solids are measured in cubic centimeters. The volume of liquids are measured in liters; graduated cylinder
Degrees Celsius measures temperature; thermometer
And time is truly universal: seconds…; clock

6. “King Henry Doesn’t Usually Drink Chocolate Milk”
Prefixes for the metric system:
Kilo-
Hecto-
Deka (deca)-
Base unit-
Deci-
Centi-
Milli-

7. THE METRIC CONVERSION CHART (STAIRCASE METHOD)
To convert to a smaller unit, move
decimal point to the right or
multiply.
Kilo
x1000
units
Hecto
x100
units
Deka
x10
units
Basic
Unit
Deci
x0.1
units
Centi
x0.01
units
Milli
x0.001
units
To convert to a larger unit, move
decimal point to the left or divide

8. USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD
1000 mg = ______ g 1
Step 1: Determine if you are going to go up (left) or down (right)
the ladder.
starting at mg you go up the ladder to g
Step 2: Determine how many steps there are from milligrams to
grams.
count the steps, there are 3
Step 3: Move the decimal point the number of steps in the same
direction that was determined in steps 1 & 2. =

9. TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD
.15 L = __________ ml

10. TRY THIS USING THE STAIRCASE METHOD
.15 L = __________ ml
150