Learning Target: I can convert between metric units of length.

The metric system is used in many countries throughout the world and in certain branches of science and math in the U.S.

Metric measurement is a base 10 system.

Metric Units of Measurement...

To change from one metric unit to another, multiply or divide by a power of 10.  Powers of 10 include 10, 100, 1,000, and so on.

Multiply to change from a larger unit to a smaller unit.

Divide to change from a smaller unit to a larger unit.

Example

Samantha is running in a 3-kilometer race.  How many meters will she run?

We're converting a larger unit (kilometers) to a smaller unit (meters), so we multiply.  There are 1,000 meters in a kilometer, so we have:

3 × 1,000 = 3,000

The race is 3,000 meters long.

Let's Practice Together

Find each equivalent measure.

1.

   3 km = ______ m

2.

   ______ m = 30 dm

Your Turn

3.

   120 mm = ______ cm

4.

   2,000 cm = ______ m

5.

   850 dm = ______ cm

Which metric unit of length would be most reasonable to use to measure....

6.   a pen?

7.   an alligator?

8.   the distance from New York City to Los Angeles?

Check for Understanding

1.  A camel is 35 decimeters long.  A hippopotamus is 4 meters long.  Which animal has the greatest length?

2.   The Brookville Zoo is 27,000 meters away from the lake.  How many kilometers away is the zoo from the lake?

Answers

1.  3,000

2.  3

3.  12

4.  20

5.  8,500

6.  centimeters

7.  decimeters

8.  kilometers

Check for Understanding

1.  hippopotamus