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 converting

1 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 much

1 m = 100 cm

1 g = 100 cg

1 L = 100 cL

more difficult. Luckily, the GED test will provide you

1 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 MetricSystem

M

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 of

0

);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