Measurements and Equivalents - How To: Simplify (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest way to convert measurements? ›

Measures can be converted. Use the basic conversion rule to solve any problem: from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply. From a smaller unit to a larger unit, divide. It's really that simple!

Rule 1: When converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply. Rule 2: When converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit, divide. This basic rule applies to all conversions, no matter the object being measured or the system you're using.

Deci - 10 times smaller. Centi - 100 times smaller. Milli - 1,000 times smaller. A handy trick for remembering the basic metric prefixes is the mnemonic "King Henry Died Until Drinking Chocolate Milk," (or, if you prefer, "King Henry Doesn't Usually Drink Chocolate Milk").

The mnemonic way to remember the metric system is “King Henry Died Drinking Chocolate Milk” which gives us the funny memorable way to keep the prefixes straight. The statement includes an explanation of the following prefixes: kilo, hector, deca, centi and milli.

The mnemonic “King Henry Died Drinking Chocolate Milk” gives students a funny, memorable way to keep the prefixes straight. The song includes an explanation of the following prefixes: kilo, hecto, deca, deci, centi, and milli.

Measurement is the action of measuring something. We can measure time, weight, height, temperature, length, speed, and more. If we didn't have measurement, it would be very hard to know when to go to school, how much you weigh, or how cold or warm it is outside.

You can remember the order of the prefixes by using the following sentence: Good Morning King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk. Since the multiples and divisions of the base units are all factors of ten, you just need to move the decimal to convert from one to another.

You can use similar processes when converting from smaller to larger units. When converting a larger unit to a smaller one, you multiply; when you convert a smaller unit to a larger one, you divide.

You can use this trick to convert between metric units. To convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply. Move the decimal point to the right. To convert from a smaller unit to a larger unit, divide.

How to teach a child the metric system? ›

Explicitly Teach the Metric Units of Measure

Show your students the everyday examples of each, a water bottle that is 500 mL, a bag of potatoes that weighs 5 kg, or a 19cm in length pencil. Show them the prefixes that indicate the magnitude of each unit – kilo, centi, and milli. Explain how the prefixes have meanings.

What Is Metric? The metric system uses units such as meter, liter, and gram to measure length, liquid volume, and mass, just as the U.S. customary system uses feet, quarts, and ounces to measure these.

Metric units easily convert by multiplying or dividing by powers of 10. There is no straightforward way to convert imperial units.

An easy way to measure without a tape measure is to use your cash. A plain old dollar bill is exactly 6.14 inches long and 2.61 inches tall, but you can simply round those down to the nearest half-inch. You can also fold it into sixths to create a makeshift ruler – here's a quick visual guide that shows how to do it.

Because of its decimal nature, calculations using the metric system are easier and faster when compared to the alternative system of measurement.