Main Idea and New Vocabulary
Example 1: Convert Units in the Metric System
Example 2: Convert Units in the Metric System
Example 3: Real-World Example
• Change metric units of length, capacity, and
mass.
• metric system
• gram
• meter
• kilogram
• liter
Convert Units in the Metric System
Convert 7.2 meters to millimeters.
You need to convert meters to millimeters. Use the
relationship 1 m = 1,000 mm.
1 m = 1,000 mm
Write the relationship.
7.2 × 1 m = 7.2 × 1,000 mm
Multiply each side by
7.2 since you have
7.2 meters.
7.2 m = 7,200 mL
Answer: 7.2 m = 7,200 mL
To multiply 7.2 by 1,000,
move the decimal point
3 places to the right.
Convert 1.2 liters to milliliters.
A. 12 mL
B. 120 mL
C. 1,200 mL
D. 12,000 mL
Convert Units in the Metric System
Convert 40 centimeters to meters.
You need to convert centimeters to meters. Use the
relationship 1 cm = 0.01 m.
1 cm = 0.01 mm
Write the relationship.
40 × 1 cm = 40 × 0.01 mm
Multiply each side by
40 since you have
40 centimeters.
40 cm = 0.4 m
Answer: 40 cm = 0.4 m
To multiply 40 by 0.01,
move the decimal point
2 places to the left.
Convert 15 kilograms to grams.
A. 0.015 g
B. 0.15 g
C. 1.5 g
D. 150 g
FARMS A bucket holds 1.28 liters of water. Find the
capacity of the bucket in milliliters.
You are converting liters to milliliters. Since the bucket
holds 1.28 liters, use the relationship 1 L = 1,000 mL.
1 L = 1,000 mL
Write the relationship.
1.28 × 1 L = 1.28 × 1,000 mL
Multiply each side by
1.28 since you have
1.28 liters.
1.28 L = 1,280 mL
To multiply 1.28 by 1,000,
move the decimal point
3 places to the right.
Answer: The capacity of the bucket is 1,280 milliliters.
GARDENING Sarah has 7.6 kilograms of top soil
for her flower bed. How many grams of top soil
does she have?
A. 76,000 g
B. 7,600 g
C. 760 g
D. 76 g