Metric system
The metric system is a base-10 system of measurement used internationally, where each unit is related to others by a power of 10. In Grade 6 Saxon Math Course 1 (Chapter 1: Number, Operations, and Algebra), students learn the length units: 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters, 1 meter = 100 centimeters = 1,000 millimeters, and 1 kilometer = 1,000 meters. To convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply; from smaller to larger, divide. For example, 3.5 meters = 350 centimeters (multiply by 100). The prefix milli- means 1/1000, centi- means 1/100, and kilo- means 1,000.
Key Concepts
Property The metric system is an international system of measurement using units like millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), meters (m), and kilometers (km). It is based on powers of 10, where $1 \operatorname{cm} = 10 \operatorname{mm}$ and $1 \operatorname{m} = 100 \operatorname{cm}$.
Examples The thickness of a dime is approximately 1 millimeter.
The width of your pinky finger is about 1 centimeter.
Common Questions
What are the main metric length units and their relationships?
1 cm = 10 mm. 1 m = 100 cm = 1,000 mm. 1 km = 1,000 m. Each unit is related to others by a power of 10.
How do you convert meters to centimeters?
Multiply by 100 (since 1 m = 100 cm). For example, 4.2 m = 4.2 x 100 = 420 cm.
How do you convert centimeters to meters?
Divide by 100. For example, 350 cm = 350 / 100 = 3.5 m.
What does the prefix kilo- mean?
Kilo- means 1,000. So 1 kilometer = 1,000 meters and 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams.
Why is the metric system easier to use than the imperial system?
All conversions use powers of 10 (multiply or divide by 10, 100, or 1,000). The imperial system uses irregular factors like 12 inches per foot and 5,280 feet per mile.