Converting Between Metric Units

Key Concept

• Metric conversions can seem intimidating but there's a useful shortcut.

Shortcut Mnemonic

• King Henry Died Unexpectedly Drinking Chocolate Milk: This phrase helps remember the metric units and their order:
  • Kilometers (km)
  • Hectometers (hm)
  • Decameters (dam)
  • Base Unit (meters (m), grams (g), or liters (l))
  • Decimeters (dm)
  • Centimeters (cm)
  • Millimeters (mm)

Conversion Examples

1. 6.88 meters to centimeters

   • Move from meters (M) to centimeters (C): 2 spaces to the right
   • Calculation: 6.88 m = 688 cm

2. Meters to Millimeters

   • Example: Convert meters to millimeters (mm)
   • Move from meters (M) to millimeters (mm): 3 spaces to the right
   • Calculation: Example value = 5.53 m = 5,530 mm (add placeholder 0 for full number)

3. 5.76 kilograms to milligrams

   • Move from kilograms (kg) to milligrams (mg): 6 spaces to the right
   • Calculation: 5.76 kg = 5,760,000 mg (add 4 placeholder zeros)

4. 25.8 meters to centimeters

   • Move from meters (M) to centimeters (C): 2 spaces to the right
   • Calculation: 25.8 m = 2,580 cm (add placeholder 0)

Summary

• The shortcut makes it easy to visualize where to move the decimal point based on the metric unit conversions.
• Remember to add placeholder zeros when necessary to maintain the value of the number.