Metric Prefixes

larger smaller
Prefix kilo− hecto− deka− (base unit) deci− centi− milli−
Symbol k h da d c m
Length
 The basic unit of length in the metric system is the meter, whose symbol is m.
 A meter is a little longer than a yard.

Converting Among Units – The Metric Conversion Line

km hm dam m dm cm mm

Process: 1) Find the unit you are given on the metric conversion line.
2) Count the number of places to get from the unit you are given to the unit you
want in the answer.
3) Move the decimal point the same number of places and in the same
direction as you did on the conversion line.

Examples: Convert.
3 cm to m decimal moves 2 places to the left
0.03 m

85.6 mm to cm decimal moves 1 place to the left

8.56 cm

9 km to mm decimal moves 6 places to the right

9000000 mm
Capacity
 Capacity – The amount of liquid an item will hold
 The metric unit for capacity is the liter, whose symbol is L.
 A liter is a little more than a quart.
 We use the same prefixes as we did for lengths, but put them with liter.

Converting among Metric Capacity Units

kL hL daL L dL cL mL

Examples: Convert:
5 mL to L decimal moves 3 places to the left
0.005 L

2.07 L to mL decimal moves 3 places to the right

2070 mL
Mass (weight)
 Mass – the amount of matter in an object
 Weight – the measure of the pull of gravity
 The basic metric unit for weight/mass is the gram, whose symbol is g.
 1 gram is the weight of a dollar bill.
 We use the same prefixes as we did for lengths, but put them with gram.

Converting among Metric Weight Units

kg hg dag g dg cg mg

Examples: Convert:
10 kg to g decimal moves 3 places to the right
10000 g

0.077 g to mg decimal moves 3 places to the right

77 mg