Unit 1:
The Metric System &
Unit Conversions
Section A:
Systems of Measurement
 Corresponding Book Sections:
 Chapter 1
 PA Assessment Anchors:
 S11.A.1.1
Two systems of measure:
 English (FPS)
 Foot, Pound, Second
 Units like:




Feet
Miles
Gallons
Pounds
 Metric System (SI)
 “International System”
 Units Like:




Centimeter
Dekaliter
Newton
Milligram
Metric Prefixes
How to use the prefixes
 The prefix goes before the base word
 Example:
cm = centimeter
Prefix
Base
Practice with Prefixes
 One hundredth of a meter
 Ten grams
 One hundred liters
Name these quantities:
 cm
 hL
 Mm
Section B:
Unit Conversions
 Corresponding Book Sections:
 Chapter 1
 PA Assessment Anchors:
 S11.A.1.1
How to convert between units
Ex: Convert 1 m to cm
1. Write the unit you’re starting with over 1
1m
1
2. Find the appropriate conversion
1 m = 100 cm
3. Line up the units so they cross out
1 m 100 cm
x
1
1m
How to convert between units
(Continued)
4. Keep doing this until you’re left with the units you want in your
answer
1 m 100 cm
x
1
1m
5. Multiply the numerator and denominator
1 m 100 cm
x
=
1
1m
6. Write final answer
100 cm
100cm
1
Converting between units
 Convert 1 m to:
 dm
 hm
 km
More Conversion Practice
 Convert:
 15 m to cm
 20 cm to km
 300 mm to m
Converting between systems:
 Can we convert between FPS and SI?
 Absolutely!!
 Most of the conversion factors are on the
inside cover of your textbook
Practice converting between
units:
 Convert
 1 m to mi
 2 gallons to mL
 4.3 lb to Newtons
A good website to check your
work:
 http://www.onlineconversion.com/auto_convert.pl
 You MUST show your work on problems
and the homework, but this is a good
place to check your answers!