Monday, April 30, 2012

Revisiting Metrics


Metric Weights and Measures

A millimicron is one thousandth of one millionth of one metre.
Most of the world uses the metric system. The only countries not on this system are the U.S., Burma, Liberia, Muscat, and South Yemen.

The metric system is based on 10s. For example, 10 decimetres make a metre (39.37 inches).

Units smaller than a meter have Latin prefixes:

  • Deci- means 10; 10 decimeters make a meter.
  • Centi- means 100; 100 centimeters make a meter.
  • Milli- means 1,000; 1,000 millimeters make a meter.
Units larger than a metre have Greek prefixes:

  • Deka- means 10; a dekameter is 10 meters.
  • Hecto- means 100; a hectometer is 100 meters.
  • Kilo- means 1,000; a kilometer is 1,000 meters.

Helpful Hints

Remember: A meter is a little more than a yard. A kilometer is less than a mile. A liter is a little more than a quart.

The Metric System

Length

UnitValue
Kilometre (km)1,000 meters
Hectometre (hm)100 meters
Dekametre (dam)10 meters
metre (m)1 meter
Decimetre (dm)0.1 meter
Centimetre (cm)0.01 meters
Millimetre (mm)0.001 meters

Capacity

UnitValue
Kiloliter (kl)1,000 Liters
Hectoliters (hl)100 Liters
Dekaliters (dal)10 Liters
Liter (l)1 Liter(*)
Deciliter (dl)0.10 Liters
Centiliter (cl)0.01 Liters
Milliliter (ml)0.001 Liters
1 liter + 1.057 quarts

Mass and Weight

UnitValue
Metric Ton1,000,000 Grams
Quintal (P)100,000 Grams
Myriagram10,000 Grams
Kilogram1,000 Grams
Hectogram100 Grams
Dekagram10 Grams
Gram1 Gram(*)
Decigram0.10 Grams
Centigram0.01 Grams
Milligrams0.001 Grams
1 gram + U.S. 0.035 ounces

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