Math with Mr. J: Converting Metric Units of Mass

Introduction

• Focus: Converting metric units of mass (milligrams, grams, kilograms)
• Base unit: Gram
• Units based on prefixes attached to "gram"

Understanding Metric Units

Milligram (mg)

• Prefix "milli" means one one-thousandth
• 1 milligram = 1/1000 of a gram
• 1000 milligrams = 1 gram
• Reference: About a grain of salt or sand

Gram (g)

• Base unit of mass
• Reference: About a paperclip or stick of gum

Kilogram (kg)

• Prefix "kilo" means 1000
• 1000 grams = 1 kilogram
• Reference: About the mass of a textbook
• 1 kilogram = 1,000,000 milligrams

Conversion Examples

Converting Kilograms to Grams

1. 3 kilograms to grams

   • 1 kilogram = 1000 grams
   • 3 kg = 3 x 1000 = 3000 grams

2. 8 kilograms to grams

   • 8 kg = 8 x 1000 = 8000 grams

Converting Grams to Kilograms

3. 5000 grams to kilograms
   • 5000 grams divided by 1000
   • 5000 / 1000 = 5 kilograms

Converting Kilograms to Milligrams

4. 3 kilograms to milligrams
   • 1 kilogram = 1,000,000 milligrams
   • 3 kg = 3 x 1,000,000 = 3,000,000 milligrams

Converting Milligrams to Kilograms

5. 4,000,000 milligrams to kilograms
   • 4,000,000 divided by 1,000,000
   • 4,000,000 / 1,000,000 = 4 kilograms

Converting Milligrams to Grams

6. 8,000 milligrams to grams
   • 8,000 divided by 1,000
   • 8,000 / 1,000 = 8 grams

Conclusion

• Summary of converting between milligrams, grams, and kilograms.
• Reinforcement of the multiplication or division by 1000 or 1,000,000 for conversions.
• Encouragement to revisit the method for ease in future calculations.