Conversions of units

• Scientists adopted a worldwide measurement system (SI system) to ensure they can speak the same language
• SI prefixes


  • kilo- (k) means 1,000
  • centi- (c) means 0.01
  • milli- (m) means 0.001
• Basic SI units


  • Length: meter (m)
  • Mass: gram (g)
  • Volume: liter (L)
• Converting 5.0 lb bag of potatoes to kg

  454 g = 1 lb

  2. 5.0 lb x 454 g/lb = 2270 g

  3. 2270 g / 1000 g/kg = 2.27 kg