1 QT. 9 OZ.3 9 13 9 1
5. 1 qt. 9 oz.
3 9 1
M e t r i c M e a s u r e m e n t s
The chart shown here illustrates some common rela-tionships used in the metric system:The metric system is an international system of meas-Length
Weight
Volume
urement also called the decimal system. Converting unitsin the metric system is much easier than converting1 km = 1,000 m
1 kg = 1,000 g
1 kL = 1,000 L
units in the English system of measurement. However,1 m = .001 km
1 g = .001 kg
1 L = .001 kL
making conversions between the two systems is much1 m = 100 cm
1 g = 100 cg
1 L = 100 cL
more difficult. Luckily, the GED test will provide you1 cm = .01 m
1 cg = .01 g
1 cL = .01 L
with the appropriate conversion factor when needed.1 m = 1,000 mm
1 g = 1,000 mg
1 L = 1,000 mL
The basic units of the metric system are the meter,1mm = .001 m
1 mg = .001 g
1 mL = .001 L
gram, and liter. Here is a general idea of how the two sys-tems compare:Conversions within the MetricSystemM
ETRIC
S
YSTEM
E
NGLISH
S
YSTEM
An easy way to do conversions with the metric system is1 meter A meter is a little more than ato move the decimal point to either the right or the leftyard; it is equal to about 39 inches.because the conversion factor is always ten or a power of1 gram A gram is a very small unit often. As you learned previously, when you change from aweight; there are about 30 gramslarge unit to a smaller unit, you multiply, and when youin one ounce.change from a small unit to a larger unit, you divide.1 liter A liter is a little more than a quart.Making Easy Conversions withinPrefixes are attached to the basic metric units listedthe Metric Systemabove to indicate the amount of each unit.When you multiply by a power of ten, you move the dec-1
For example, the prefix deci means one-tenth (1
imal point to the right. When you divide by a power of0
);therefore, one decigram is one-tenth of a gram, and oneten, you move the decimal point to the left.decimeter is one-tenth of a meter. The following six pre-To change from a large unit to a smaller unit, movefixes can be used with every metric unit:the decimal point to the right.kilo hecto deka UNIT deci centi milliKilo Hecto Deka Deci Centi Milli(k) (h) (dk) (d) (c) (m)To change from a small unit to a larger unit, move the