Converting+Between+Metric+Prefixes

__ Converting Between Metric Prefixes __ Conversion Factor Method and Decimal Moving Method

(Teach this first.) Conversion Factor Method 1. SI = International System of Units = Metric System 2. Converting between metric prefixes involves either multiplying or dividing by 10 one or more times. 3. Converting requires multiplying by a conversion factor. 4. The numerator and denominator of a conversion factor are equivalent. 5. Conversion factors are always equal to 1. 6. The unit you are converting from goes in the denominator. 7. The unit you are converting to goes in the numerator. 8. Multiply by the conversion factor, and cancel units.

Each move right in the list multiplies by 10 Each move left in the list divides by 10.

Going to //smaller// units (right in the list) means going to // bigger // numbers, so multiply.

Going to //bigger// units (left in the list) means going to // smaller // numbers, so divide.



(Teach this second) Decimal Moving Method

Use a phrase to remember the prefixes in order: . Prefixes are above each step and their sizes compared to the base are below each step.



To convert by moving the decimal, you must first list the prefixes in order. (King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk.) The given unit is the starting point. The unit you are converting to is the ending point. Count each new prefix moving to the ending point Move the decimal in the same direction and the same amount as the count.

How to use the prefix list. 1. Determine the starting point. 2. Count the jumps to the ending point. 3. Move the decimal the same number of jumps in the same direction.

http://lifescitpjhs.wikispaces.com/Metric+System+Notes

To convert from one prefix to another, the decimals are moved one place in the same direction as each step moved in the chart above. 1. 97.64 cm = ................................km 2. 0.000034 kg = ................................ g 3. 207 mL =..................................L  4. 63.09 m = ................................cm  5. 35000 mg = ................................kg  6. 75 L = ................................hL  7. 9 kg = ................................mg  8. 46. 5 m = ................................mm 9. 704 mg = ................................g  10. 10.05 dk = ................................cm

http://lifescitpjhs.wikispaces.com/Paper+Prefix+Conversion+Calculators

http://lifescitpjhs.wikispaces.com/Metric+System+Review

Page 672 Life Science Text Book http://lifescitpjhs.wikispaces.com/Metric+System+Reading+Guide .................................. (CNN) -- NASA lost a $125 million Mars orbiter because a Lockheed Martin engineering team used English units of measurement while the agency's team used the more conventional metric system for a key spacecraft operation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Climate_Orbiter