Converter’s Creed

I (state your name) am aware that converting between units may seem weird and confusing. However, I am

also aware of my ability to accomplish anything that I want to,

especially when I maintain a positive attitude. I vow to keep an open

mind and refrain from complaining as I begin to learn about these

processes. I will be successful in the end.

Raise yourright hand and

repeat afterme!

Level of CertificationSTANDARD

This certificate is awarded to

Who successfully completed the Conversion Courseoffered by Howell Middle School South.

With this certificate, the aforementioned studentcan perform a variety of conversions upon request.

___________________Mr. Jones – 7th Science

HMSS

Date of Issuance:______Certificate #:_________

Levels of Certification

• Levels of Certification are assigned dependent on the grade level achieved on the “Conversion Examination”

• Levels are as follows:90 - 100% Advanced80 - 89% Standard≤ 79% Provisional

Practice Problems1. How many milligrams are in 3.6 kilograms?

2. Convert 15 liters to centiliters

3. How many hm are in 12.67 mm?

4. Convert 128,650 mL to daL

5. Jason ran 1.61 km. How many meters did he run?

3,600,000 milligrams

1,500 centiliters

0.0001267 hm

12.865 daL

1,610 meters

The Metric SystemThe system of measurement utilized by the International System of Units or the Système International d'Unités (SI). This system was established to provide consistency related to weights and measures and is the primary system of measurement used around the world (however, not in the United States). Each measurement within this system consists of a base unit (liter, meter, gram, etc.) usually attached to a prefix (kilo, hecto, deca, deci, centi, milli, etc.). One can easily navigate, or convert, within the metric system by multiplying or dividing by a power of 10. In other words, by simply moving the decimal point to the right or the left, it is possible to convert from one unit of measure to another within this system.

Example

5 kilometers = 5,000 meters = 5,000,000 millimeters

Each of these conversions were made by simply moving the decimal point to the right or the left

Prefixes

Symbol Prefix Numerical Expression Factor

T tera- 1 000 000 000 0001012

G giga- 1 000 000 000 109

M mega- 1 000 000106

k kilo- 1 000 103

h hecto- 100 102

da dek(c)a 10 101

NO PREFIX (UNIT) 1 100

d deci- 0.1 10-1

c centi- 0.01 10-2

m milli- 0.001 10-3

μ micro- 0.00000110-6

n nano- 0.000000001 10-9

The chart below provides a list of some commonly used prefixes

Units

The chart below provides a list of some commonly used units

Units Symbol Used to Measure:

liter L volumemeter m distance/lengthgram g mass (weight)Joule J energysecond s timePascal Pa pressure

Combining Prefixes and Units

milligram (mg)

milli gram

Prefixestera (T)giga (G)

mega (M)kilo (k)

hecto (h)dek(c)a

(da)deci (d)centi (c)milli (m)micro (µ)nano (n)

Unitsliter (L)

meter (m)gram (g)Joule (J)

second (s)Pascal (Pa)

*The lists of prefixes & units are not all-inclusive

+ =

kilo + liter =

kiloliter (kL)

centi+meter=

centimeter (cm)

Values in the metric system must contain a unit and the units are typically preceded by a prefix

kilo hecto

deka

UNITS

Gram

Liter

Meter

UNITS

deci centi

milli

Metric Map“Use it to help guide you through the metric

system”

How To Use Your Map

1) Identify your starting point - this is the number followed by a prefix/unit.2) Identify your final destination – this is the prefix/unit you want in the end.3) Count the number of steps/places from the starting point to the final destination.4) Move the decimal point the number of steps between the two locations, in the

same direction.

*This map does not show all prefixes and units

0

kilo hecto

deka Gram deci centi

milli

Practice Problem 1

How many milligrams are in 3.6 kilograms?

Starting point Final Destination

3 6kg00000 mg3,600,000 mg•Direction:•Steps:

6

kilo hecto

deka Liter deci centi

milli

Practice Problem 2

Convert 15 liters to centiliters

Starting point Final Destination

1 5 0

L00cL1,500 cL

•Direction:•Steps:

2

kilo hecto

deka Meter deci centi

milli

Practice Problem 3

How many hm are in 12.67 mm?

Starting pointFinal Destination

1 2 67

mm0000 hm0.0001267 hm•Direction:•Steps:

5

kilo hecto

deka Liter deci centi

milli

Practice Problem 4

Convert 128,650 mL to daL

Starting pointFinal Destination

1 2 8 6 5 0 0

mLdaL12.865 daL•Direction:•Steps:

4

m

kilo hecto

deka Meter deci centi

milli

Practice Problem 5

Jason ran 1.61 km. How many meters did he run?

Starting point Final Destination

1 6 1

km001,610 m•Direction:•Steps:

3

Helpful Acrostic

Try to create your own acrostic to help you remember the prefixes and their order. This

will be important because you will not receivethe metric map on your quiz.

kay hit dog ARF! dog can’t

move

Thank you for the acrostic Mrs. Eisenhower – Marblehead, MA