(COC) Metric to Metric Conversions Lesson

Metric to Metric Conversions

The benefit of using the metric system is that it is easy to convert between units.  The English system can be very difficult to convert between units because you need to remember the conversions between each unit.  For instance, if you were wanting to find out how many inches were in a mile there are conversions you would need to know to be able to calculate your answer. This can be very complicated.  However, converting between kilometers and centimeters can be very simple.

In order to convert from one metric unit to another, it is important to know the order of the metric prefixes.  Many people use mnemonic devices, or sayings, to help them remember the order of things. It is important to find a mnemonic device that will be easy for you to remember. A common saying to remember the order from large units to small units is King Henry Died by drinking chocolate milk. There are many ways in which you can convert between the units. Let's go over two methods below and you can choose which works best for you.

Conversion Chart

Mnemonic Word	Unit	Based of standard meter
King	Kilometer	1000 m
Henry	Hectometer	100 m
Died	Decameter	10 m
By	Meter	1 m
Drinking	Decimeter	0.1 m
Chocolate	Centimeter	0.01m
Milk	Millimeter	0.001m

Method 1:

1. Start with the given value
2. Insert the conversion factors as fractions
3. Do the math

Example:   How many centimeters are in 5.2 kilometers?

$\frac{5.2\hspace{.2cm}kilometers}{1}\hspace{.2cm}x\hspace{.2cm}\frac{1000\hspace{.2cm}meters}{1\hspace{.2cm}kilometer}\hspace{.2cm}x\hspace{.2cm}\frac{100\hspace{.2cm}centimeters}{1\hspace{.2cm}meter} = 520,000\hspace{.2cm}centimeters$

Method 2:

1. Write out the order of the prefixes in a stair step from largest unit to smallest unit.
2. Start at the stair of the unit that is given.
3. Count the number of steps to the new unit.
4. Move the original unit's decimal point the same number of places in the direction you go on the stair step (up you move the decimal to left; down you move the decimal to right).
5. Fill in zeros in order to hold the decimal spot.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

.00046875

Answer:     468.75 millimeters = .00046875 kilometers

The video below will discuss metric-to-metric conversions. 

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