Transcript Slide 1

Metric Conversions
Ladder Method
T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/
What is a conversion?
• A conversion is something scientists use in
order to go from one unit to another
– Ex. seconds into hours
• The method most scientists use involves a
conversion factor
– This allows them to not the change the number
they have started with
• How do they do it?
– Name a conversion factor
Ladder Method
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2
KILO
1000
Units
3
HECTO
100
Units
DEKA
10
Units
DECI
0.1
Unit
Meters
Liters
Grams
How do you use the “ladder” method?
1st – Determine your starting point.
2nd – Count the “jumps” to your ending point.
3rd – Move the decimal the same number of
jumps in the same direction.
CENTI
0.01
Unit
MILLI
0.001
Unit
4 km = _________ m
Starting Point
Ending Point
How many jumps does it take?
4. __. __. __. = 4000 m
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2
3