the metric system
unit
2006-09-08 12:17:20 · 6 answers · asked by Navita 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The entire metric system works on base 10. So, to change from one unit of measure to another, you must multiply or divide by a multiple of 10. It is essential to learn the prefixes and what they mean; but once you learn those, it's very easy.
For example: To change from kilometers to meters, you must multiply by 1000 because there are 1000 meters in 1 kilometer (the prefix "kilo-" means "1000"). Or, to change from liters to cubic meters, you must divide by 1000 because there are 1000 liters in 1 cubic meter.
It's much easier than trying to remember obscure trivia such as that there are 1760 yards or 5280 feet in a statute mile (but a nautical mile is different), or 128 ounces/8 pints/4 quarts in a gallon (but not an imperial gallon), or 2000 pounds in a ton (but not in a long ton).
Go metric! It makes life SO much easier.
2006-09-08 12:35:28 · answer #1 · answered by sandislandtim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Multiply or Divide by 10 for numbers one place away, 100 for two places away, 1000 for 3, 10000 for four, ect.
2006-09-08 12:23:07 · answer #2 · answered by Black Sabbath 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you give more information?
Heres a start anyway 1km=1000m
1m=100cm=1000mm
If you are converting from imperial measures 1inch=2.54cm
2006-09-08 12:25:01 · answer #3 · answered by tiggeronvrb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
to change from one unit to what?
2006-09-08 12:22:28 · answer #4 · answered by ftmshk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use conversion factors.
2006-09-08 12:29:39 · answer #5 · answered by Chris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
move the decimal point to the right or left.
2006-09-08 12:22:27 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋