Measuring with the Metric System

Revised by Stephanie Magnuson 2010

Essential Questions

4. What is the unit of measure for capacity? How are they different from the others?

1. What are metric units? How do you measure with them?

2. What is the unit of measure for length? How are they different from the others?

3. What is the unit of measure for mass? How are they different from the others?

Note Taking

•We will be taking notes on our metric units.

•Please take out your math journals.

•Remember to write down the units it is equal to AND how to remember how big it is!

Big Ideas w/ Metric Units1. To measure the length of an object, the

most commonly used metric units are: millimeter, centimeter, decimeter, meter,

and kilometer2. To measure the weight of an object, the most commonly used metric units

are:grams and kilograms3. To measure the capacity of an object,

the most commonly used metric units are:liters

Let’s take a closer look!

Let’s take a look at how to measure length. If you want to get exact

measurements, you need to use a meter stick, which is a little longer

than a yardstick.A meter stick measures: m, cm,

mm

Millimeter!

•Millimeter (mm)is the smallest unit of the metric system.

• It takes 1000 mm to equal 1 meter.

The thickness of a penny is about 1 mm.

See how small the thickness of

this necklace is? It is 1 mm

Centimeter!

• The next unit used to measure length is centimeters (cm).

• It takes 10 mm to equal 1 cm.

• There are 100 cm in 1 meter.

The width of a large paper clips is about 1 cm.

1 cm

1 cm

The width of your fingernail is also about 1 cm.

Decimeter!

• Another metric unit to measure length is decimeter (dm).

• It takes 10 cm to equal 1 dm.

• There are 10 dm in 1 meter.

The length of your palm (across) is about 1 dm.

1 dm

Meter!• After

decimeters, comes meters (m).

• 10 dm equals 1 m.

• 100 cm equals 1 m.

• 1,000 mm equals 1 m.

The length of a major league baseball bat is

about 1 m.

1 m

Kilometer!

• The longest unit of length in the metric system is kilometer (km).

• It takes 1,000 m to equal 1 km.

Most people can walk 1 km in about 15 minutes.

Let’s review: Length-• 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters• 1 decimeter = 10 centimeters• 1,000 millimeters = 1 meter• 100 centimeters = 1 meter• 10 decimeters = 1 meter• 1,000 meters = 1 kilometer

Weight-• 1,000 milligrams = 1 gram• 1,000 grams = 1 kilogram

•Capacity:• 1,000 milliliters= 1 Liter

Let’s check for understanding!

Tell me or show me how you will remember the lengths of metric units:

Millimeter

Centimeter

Decimeter

Meter

Kilometer

Now let’s look at weight

Let’s take a look at how to measure weight (also known as mass). If you want to get exact measurements,

you need to use a balance.

Measuring mass uses: mg (milligram), g

(gram), kg (kilogram)

Milligrams!•There are three

units we use in the metric system to measure weight.

•The smallest is milligrams (mg).

•There are 1000 mg in 1 gram.

A mg is so small, 1 grain of

sugar weighs 1 mg!

Grams!

• The next unit of measurement for mass is grams (g).

• There are 1,000 mg in 1 g.

A paper clip weighs 1 g.

An eraser on a pencil weighs 1 g.

A button weighs 1 g.

Kilograms!

• The largest unit of weight in the metric system is Kilogram (kg).

• It takes 1,000 g to equal 1 kg.

A pineapple weighs about 1

kg.

It would take about 1,000 paper clips to equal 1 kg.

Let’s practice!What metric unit for length would I use to measure these items?

Chalk?

Classroom Wall?School to Tucson?

cm

m

km

Weight practice!What metric unit for weight would I use to measure these items?

Apple?

Rubber band?

Person?g

g

kg

Last one... Capacity!

Let’s take a look at how to measure capacity (also known as the volume an object can hold). If you want to

get exact measurements, you need to use a graduated cylinder.

Metric Capacity is measured inml (milliliter) and L (liter).

Milliliters!

There are 1000 milliliters (ml) in 1 liter.

Typically, only liquid medications are measured in ml.

1 ml of water weighs 1 g.

Think of how much that

would be.

Liters!There are 1,000 ml in 1 liter (L).

Lots of liquids we purchase at the store are sold in liters.

1 L typically weighs 1 kg (remember, that is the weight of a pineapple).

This water bottle is 1 L.

The soda bottles youbuy from the grocery

store are 2 L.

Closure• Now that you know all there is to know about the

metric system, let’s use it! On the back of your notes, decide which is the best unit of measurement for each object.

1. What would you use to measure the distance from

Tucson to Phoenix?

A. Kilometers B. Meters C. Centimeters D. Millimeters

2. What would you use to weigh a bag of potatoes?

A. kilograms B. grams

3. For what object would you use centimeters to

measure? A. person B. door

C. pencil D. wall

Metric Reference

Length:

m: Capacity:

Weight:

dm:

cm: width of a

mm: thickness of a

km: a walk for 15 min.

mg: 1 grain of sugar

kg: the weight of a

g: the weight of a

L: 1 L water bottle

ml: 1 ml of water = 1 g