Understanding Metric Systems

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Metric systems.

What is Metric System?


The metric system is a system of measuring things. It is used worldwide in
calculations and research. Here are some examples of how we measure things
using the metric system:

 Meter is the unit of measuring distances and lengths. We use this unit in
our daily life, for example, the distance between school and
home, length of cloth, etc.
 You may have noticed that there is a weight mentioned in the bag of
your favourite snack. For example, 250 grams of potato chips. Here,
gram is the unit of weight.
 Similarly, on the bottle of your favourite beverage,
there’s volume mentioned (for example, 250 milliliters of cola). Here,
milliliter is the unit of volume.

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Conversion Tables for Metric Units of Capacity Game
Conversion Tables for Metric Units of Length Game
Conversion Tables for Metric Units of Weight Game
Convert Metric Units of Capacity Game
Convert Metric Units of Length Game
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Decimal Conversions for Metric Units of Capacity Game
Decimal Conversions for Metric Units of Length Game
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Estimate Capacities in Metric Unit Game

Metric Units
The units for length, weight (mass) and capacity(volume) in the metric system
are:

Length: Millimeter (mm), Decimeter (dm), Centimeter (cm), Meter (m),


and Kilometer (km) are used to measure how long or wide or tall an object is.

Examples include measuring the thickness or length of a debit card, length of


cloth, or distance between two cities.

Weight: Gram (g) and Kilogram(kg) are used to measure how heavy an object
is, using instruments.
Examples include measuring the weight of fruits or our own body weight.

Capacity: Milliliter (ml) and Liter (l) are used to measure how much quantity of
liquid an object can hold.

Examples include measuring the amount of juice in a juice can, or amount of


water in a water tank.

Metric Conversions

The metric system is a system of measurement that uses the meter, liter, and
gram as base units of length (distance), capacity (volume), and weight (mass)
respectively.
To measure smaller or larger quantities, we use units derived from the metric
units.

 The given figure shows the arrangement of the metric units, which are
smaller or bigger than the base unit.
 The units to the right of the base unit are smaller than the base unit. As
we move to the right, each unit is 10 times smaller or one-tenth of the
unit to its left. So, a ‘deci’ means one-tenth of the base unit, ‘centi’ is
one-tenth of ‘deci’ or one-hundredth of the base unit and ‘milli’ is one-
tenth of ‘centi’ or one-hundredth of ‘deci’ or one-thousandth of the
base unit.
 The units to the left of the base unit are bigger than the base unit. As we
move to the left, each unit is 10 times greater than the unit to its right.
So, a ‘deca’ means ten times of the base unit, ‘hecto’ is ten times of
‘deca’ or hundred times of the base unit and ‘kilo’ is ten times of ‘hecto’
or thousand times of the base unit.
Here’s how we can multiply or divide for making metric conversions. To
convert a bigger unit to a smaller unit, we move left to right, we multiply by
10. Moving right to left, from smaller units to bigger, we divide by 10.
The Metric System in Our Daily Life
We use the metric system in our daily life in many ways. Let us look at some
everyday examples of the metric system.
 Water in a tank or a liquid in a container is measured in liters. It is the
metric unit of volume.
 When we travel in a vehicle, we measure the distance travelled in meters
or kilometers.
 When we buy groceries, they are measured in weight units such as
grams and kilograms.
The US Standard Units or the Customary/Imperial System units.

This system measures:

 Length or distance in inches, feet, yards, and miles.


 Capacity or volume in fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts or gallons.
 Weight or mass in ounces, pounds and tons.
Conclusion on Metric System
Every day, we measure weights, lengths, distances, etc. The system that is
followed for such measurements is called the metric system. Meter, liter, and
gram are the basis of measurement for length, volume, and weight
respectively. In this article, we have explained all about the metric system with
the help of images and examples. To view more such lessons,
visit SplashLearn.
Solved Examples on Metric System
Question 1: What do the following values and units indicate: 20 meters,
150 kilometers, 50 meters?

Answer: Meters and kilometers are units used to indicate length or distance.

Question 2: What are different measuring units for height?

Answer: Height can be measured with the units of length measurement.


Therefore, in a metric system, height can be measured in meters, and
centimeters.

Question 3: In what units can the following be measured:

1. A bag full of apples


2. A bucket of water
Answer: A bag full of apples can be measured with weight units such as
kilograms or grams. A bucket full of water can be measured with units of
volume, such as a liter.

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