Question

conversion challenge
write the correct abbreviation for each metric unit.

1. kilogram kg
2. meter
3. gram g
4. milliliter ml
5. millimeter mm
6. liter
7. kilometer km
8. centimeter
9. milligram mg

try these conversions, using the ladder method.

1. 2000 mg = 2 g
2. 104 km = m
3. 480 cm = m
4. 5.6 kg = g
5. 8 mm = cm
6. 5 l = 5000 ml
7. 198 g = kg
8. 75 ml = l
9. 50 cm = m
10. 5.6 m = cm
11. 16 cm = mm
12. 2500 m = km
13. 65 g = mg
14. 6.3 cm = mm
15. 120 mg = g

compare using <, >, or =.

1. 63 cm < 6 m
2. 5 g > 508 mg
3. 1,500 ml 1.5 l
4. 536 cm 53.6 dm
5. 43 mg 5 g
6. 3.6 m 36 cm

Explanation:

Step1: Recall metric - unit abbreviations

1. Meter: The abbreviation for meter is m.
2. Liter: The abbreviation for liter is L.

Step2: Recall metric - unit conversion factors

1. 1 km = 1000 m, so 104 km = 104×1000 m = 104000 m.
2. 1 m = 100 cm, so 480 cm = 480÷100 m = 4.8 m.
3. 1 kg = 1000 g, so 5.6 kg = 5.6×1000 g = 5600 g.
4. 1 cm = 10 mm, so 8 mm = 8÷10 cm = 0.8 cm.
5. 1 L = 1000 mL, so 75 mL = 75÷1000 L = 0.075 L.
6. 1 m = 100 cm, so 5.6 m = 5.6×100 cm = 560 cm.
7. 1 g = 1000 mg, so 198 g = 198÷1000 kg = 0.198 kg.
8. 1 cm = 0.01 m, so 50 cm = 50×0.01 m = 0.5 m.
9. 1 cm = 10 mm, so 16 cm = 16×10 mm = 160 mm.
10. 1 m = 0.001 km, so 2500 m = 2500×0.001 km = 2.5 km.
11. 1 g = 1000 mg, so 65 g = 65×1000 mg = 65000 mg.
12. 1 cm = 10 mm, so 6.3 cm = 6.3×10 mm = 63 mm.
13. 1 g = 1000 mg, so 120 mg = 120÷1000 g = 0.12 g.

Step3: Recall metric - unit comparison

1. 1 m = 100 cm, so 6 m = 600 cm. Then 63 cm < 6 m.
2. 1 g = 1000 mg, so 5 g = 5000 mg. Then 5 g > 508 mg.
3. 1 L = 1000 mL, so 1.5 L = 1500 mL. Then 1500 mL = 1.5 L.
4. 1 dm = 10 cm, so 53.6 dm = 536 cm. Then 536 cm = 53.6 dm.
5. 1 g = 1000 mg, so 5 g = 5000 mg. Then 43 mg < 5 g.
6. 1 m = 100 cm, so 3.6 m = 360 cm. Then 3.6 m > 36 cm.

Answer:

1. m
2. L
3. 104000
4. 4.8
5. 5600
6. 0.8
7. 0.075
8. 560
9. 0.198
10. 0.5
11. 160
12. 2.5
13. 65000
14. 63
15. 0.12
16. <
17. >
18. =
19. =
20. <
21. >