Metric Conversions &

Scientific Notation

IPC NOTES

THE METRIC SYSTEM

The metric system is based on powers of 10 to make converting easier.

In order to convert from one metric unit to another, all you will need to do is move the decimal point.

BASE UNITS

The metric system combines various base units with different prefixes.

The most commonly used base units are meters, liters and grams.

COMMON METRIC PREFIXESKilo = 1,000 times the base unit

Hecto = 100 times the base unit

Deka = 10 times the base unit

Deci = 0.1 of the base unit (or 1/10 th)

Centi = 0.01 of the base unit (or 1/100 th)

Mili = 0.001 of the base unit (or 1/1,000 th)

COMMON METRIC PREFIXESMemorize the following phrase to remember the common metric prefixes in order:

King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk

Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili

OTHER METRIC PREFIXESTera = 1 trillion times the base unit

Giga = 1 billion times the base unit

Mega = 1million times the base unit

Micro = 1/millionth of the base unit

Nano = 1/billionth of the base unit

Pico = 1/trillionth of the base unit

READING METRIC UNITSIf a unit only has 1 letter, it is a base unit (usually meters, liters or grams).

If a unit has more than 1 letter, it is a combination of a prefix with a base unit.

DEKA VS. DECIDeka is typically abbreviated as “dk”

ex) dekameter = dkm

Deci is typically abbreviated as simply “d”

ex) decimeter = dm

READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:

g

grams

READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:

mg

miligrams

READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:

hL

hectoliters

READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:

m

meters

READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:

dg

decigrams

READING METRIC UNITSIdentify each of the following:

dkL

dekaliters

USING THE METRIC SCALEWrite the common prefixes in order:

Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili

Put your finger on the starting unit and count the number of places to the left or right to arrive at the new unit. Move the decimal the same number of places and in the same direction to get the answer.

PRACTICE PROBLEM #1Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili

4.38 cm = __________ mm

PRACTICE PROBLEM #2Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili

6.35 cm = __________ m

PRACTICE PROBLEM #3Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili

4.38 kg = __________ g

PRACTICE PROBLEM #4Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili

105 dL = __________ hL

PRACTICE PROBLEM #5Kilo Hecto Deka Base Deci Centi Mili

4 dkg = __________ mg

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION

Scientific notation is used to write really large or really small numbers.

ex) 0.0000000000000089

8.9x10-15

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION

Numbers written with scientific notation have a number written times 10 to a certain power.

ex) 0.0000000000000089

8.9x10-15

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION

A positive exponent represents a large number.

A negative exponent represents a small number.

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION

The exponent tells you how many spaces to move the decimal to either the left or the right.

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #1

Write the following number without using scientific notation:

1.56x10-4

0.000156

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #2

Write the following number without using scientific notation:

8.4x105

840,000

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #3

Write the following number using scientific notation:

65,000

6.5x104

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #4

Write the following number using scientific notation:

0.0032

3.2x10-3

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION #5

Write the following number using scientific notation:

0.00000004

4x10-8