Measurement in Terms of Length: Metric System

Hello,

In our last post we learned what Fahrenheit and Celsius were.  Today, we are going to learn about the metric system and some of its prefixes.  The metric system is a system of measurement that involves decimals.  The original metric system was discovered in France around the 1790s. The metric system is usually abbreviated by SI.  In this post, we will go over some basic units of length, and how to convert units of measurement in terms of meters.  

The standard unit of length is the meter, abbreviated by m.  Other units of length include:

1.) Millimeter---> abbreviated by mm.
2.) Centimeter--->abbreviated by cm.
3.) Decimeter--->abbreviated by dm.
4.) Kilometer--->abbreviated by km.

Note:

1 millimeter = 0.001 meters; milli means thousandth
1 centimeter = 0.01 meters; centi means hundredth
1 kilometer = 1000 meters; kilo means thousand

Now, let's try converting measurements back into meters.

1.) 54.7 cm = ? m
2.) 23.8 mm = ? m
3.) 123 km = ? m

Solutions:

1.) Since 1 cm = 0.01 m, we must multiply (54.7 x 0.01) to find how many meters are in 54.7 centimeters.  54.7 x 0.01 = 0.547.  So, 54.7 cm = 0.547 m. 


2.) Since 1 mm = 0.001 m, multiply (23.8 x 0.001) to find how many meters are in 23.8 millimeters.  23.8 x 0.001 = 0.0238.  So, 23.8 mm = 0.0238 m.


3.) Since 1 km = 1000 m, multiply (123 x 1000) to find how many meters are in 123 kilometers.  123 x 1000 = 123,000.  So, 123 km = 123,000 m.  


The following are links that will help reiterate these metric units and will help you practice:


1.) This link reiterates the basic units of length
2.) Explanation of measuring length in the metric system: comes with a practice
3.) Practice worksheet with conversions
4.) Answer key to practice worksheet

I hope these links help!