Metric Conversions

7th Grade
Math Online
 Blueprint Skills
SPI 7.4.3
Convert from one
unit to another within
the same system
 BASIC UNITS
OF THE METRIC SYSTEM

• The meter is the base unit of

length in the metric system.

• The gram is the base unit of mass

in the metric system.
• The liter is the base unit of capacity
in the metric system.
Prefixes

Prefix Meaning in Meaning in

words numbers
Kilo Thousand 1,000
Hecto Hundreds 100
Deka Tens 10
Deci Tenths .1
Centi Hundredths .10
Milli Thousandths .100
Converting Units

To convert from one unit to another

is like walking up and down steps.

Which way?
Up or down?
 Going Up???

When going from a smaller unit to a

larger unit, you move UP the steps
and the decimal moves to the
LEFT .
 Going Down???

When going from a larger unit to a

smaller unit, you move DOWN the
steps and the decimal moves to the
RIGHT .
Let’s take a look!!!
 Kilo King UP steps,
Hecto Henry Decimals move
Deka Died to the LEFT
Basic Unit By
Deci Drinking
Centi Chocolate
Basic Unit Milli Milk
Liters Down steps,
Decimals move
Meters
to the RIGHT
Grams
Practice Time

4.5 m = ? cm
 What to do first in the problem
4.5 m = __ cm ?

Find YOUR step, then move!!!

Basic
Liter Kilo
Meter Hecto
Gram Deka
* Start here at Meters and
Move DOWN to Centimeters.
Decimal place moves to the
RIGHT the same number

* Basic
Deci
Centi
of steps.
4.5
Milli
 As you move the decimal
you will need to add zeros.

4. 5 0.
Is this your Final Answer?

4.5 m = 450 cm
Good Job!!
Quiz Time

1. 28 cm = ? mm
2. 438 cm = ? m
3. 72 g = ? mg
4. 202 g = ? Kg
5. 2L = ? mL
How did We do??

1. 28 cm = 280 mm
2. 438 cm = 4.38 m
3. 72 g = 72,000 mg
4. 202 g = 0.202 kg
5. 2L = 2,400 L
We Are Done

Yeah!!!
Yeah!!!