METRIC CONVERSION How to convert within the metric system Copyright 2003 - 2004. M. J. Krech. All rights reserved. The Metric System is based on sets of 10. 1 x 10 = 10 10 X 10 = 100 10 x 100 = The Metric System Is used by scientists
all over the world! Do you remember King Henry? The pneumonic: King Henry Died Unexpectedly Drinking Chocolate Milk Memorize this! You must also know how to convert within the Metric System. Heres a good
device: On your paper draw a line and add 7 tick marks: Next: k Above the tick marks write the abbreviations for the King Henry pneumonic: h d u d c m
m l g Write the units in the middle under the U. Lets add the meter line: k h km mm d hm
u dam d m L g c dm m cm Lets add the liter line:
k h km mm kL mL d u d c m
hm dam m dm cm hL daL L dL
cL g Deca can also be dk or da Lets add the gram line: k h d km hm mm kl hl ml
kg hg mg u dam d c m m dm cm
dal l dl cl dag g dg cg How to use this device:
1. Look at the problem. Look at the unit that has a number. On the device put your pencil on that unit. 2. Move to new unit, counting jumps and noticing the direction of the jump. Example #1: (1) Look at the problem. 56 cm = _____ mm Look at the unit that has a number. 56 cm On the device put your pencil on that unit. k h km
mm d hm u dam d m c dm m
cm Example #1: 2. Move to new unit, counting jumps and noticing the direction of the jump! k h km mm d hm u
dam d m c dm m cm One jump to the right! Example #1: 3. Move decimal in original number the same # of spaces and in the
same direction. 56 cm = _____ mm 56.0. One jump to the right! Move decimal one jump to the right. Add a zero as a placeholder. Example #1: 56 cm = _____ mm 56cm = 560 mm Example #2:
k kl (1) Look at the problem. 7.25 L = ____ kL Look at the unit that has a number. 7.25 L h d u d c m On the device put your pencil on that unit. hl
dal L dl cl ml Example #2: k kl 2. Move to new unit, counting jumps and noticing the direction of the jump!
h hl d dal u d c m L dl
cl ml Three jumps to the left! Example #2: (3) Move decimal in original number the same # of spaces and in the same direction. 7.25 L = ____ kL .007.25 Three jumps to the left!
Move decimal to the left three jumps. Add two zeros as placeholders. Example #2: 7.25 L = ____ kL 7.25 L = .00725 kL Example #3: Try this problem on your own: 45,000 g = ____mg k h kg d
hg dag u d c m g dg cg
mg Example #3: k h kg d hg dag u d
c m g dg cg mg Three jumps to the right! 45,000.000. Example #3: 45,000 g = 45,000,000 mg
Three jumps to the right! Example #4: Try this problem on your own: 5 cm = ____ km k h km mm d hm u dam
d m c dm m cm Example #4: k h d
km mm hm u dam d m c dm Five jumps to the left!
.00005 m cm Example #4: 5 cm = .00005 km Five jumps to the left! Examples #5-9: Solve these five problems on your own. Show your answers to your teacher. You may choose to use the King Henry Notes. You may choose the King Henry
Staircase. You may also choose to make a King Henry Slider. Examples #5-9: (5) 35 mm = ____ cm (6) 14,443 L = ____ kL (7) 0.00056 kg = ____ g (8)35.4 L = ____ mL (9)16 mm = ____ km One last caution: Be careful NOT to count the spot you start from, where you put your pencil point.
Only count the jumps! The End You may choose to ask your teacher for a copy of : (1) King Henry Notes or (2) King Henry Staircase or (3) King Henry Slider.
