In the late 1700s, the metric system was created to standardize units of measurement throughout Europe. In the 21st century, all countries except Liberia, Myanmar and the United States use the metric system. Certain fields, such as science and medical science, use the metric system exclusively. If you want to travel to another country, start a career in science, or want to connect with people around the world, the first step you can take is to understand the metric system.
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Method 1 of 3: Learning the Basic Principles of the Metric System
Step 1. Memorize the base units
The metric system uses one base unit for a certain type of measurement while the Imperial system uses different units for the same quantity.
- The basic unit for volume is “liter (L)”.
- The basic unit for length or distance is “meter (m)”.
- Due to an incident in the past, the basic unit for mass is the “kilogram”, the only unit of measurement that uses a prefix. However, we still form larger or smaller units using the prefix plus the base unit "gram".
Step 2. Use base units to form larger and smaller units
The base unit describes the type of measurement performed. The prefix added to the base unit provides information on the unit size compared to the base unit.
- The prefixes that are often used are kilo-, heta-, deca-, deci-, centi-, and milli-. Kilo-, hectare-, deca-, and deci- describe units that are larger than the base unit. The deci-, centi-, and milli- describe units that are smaller than the base unit. Each prefix represents one decimal place.
- If you already know the units of measurement for computer memory, such as “megabyte” and “gigabyte”, then you are familiar with the metric system prefix. In the context of computer memory, “byte” is the base unit. One "megabyte" equals one million "bytes", just as one megaliter equals one million liters.
Step 3. Use a chart to help you remember the order of prefixes
If you have trouble remembering the order of prefixes, a chart can help you identify and understand the relationships between prefixes. Charts are also useful when you change values from larger units to smaller units or vice versa.
- One type of diagram that is easy to use is the ladder diagram. You can make the ladder vertical or horizontal. Choose the easiest for you. Draw eight steps and place one prefix on each rung in order. Write the largest unit, "kilo-", on the top rung (far left if you're drawing a horizontal ladder), continue until you write the smallest unit on the bottom rung (or far right).
- The base unit is located in the middle of the diagram or on the middle rung. Prefixes for larger units are above or to the left. Prefixes for smaller units are below or to the right of the base unit. The magnitude of the difference is determined by how far the prefix is from the base unit.
Step 4. Try using a mnemonic tool to memorize prefix sequences
A diagram won't do much if you're not a visual learner. A mnemonic tool may be able to help you remember the order of prefixes.
- One of the mnemonic tools that can be used to memorize the order of prefixes in the metric system is “Black Cat in a Car, Desi Coquettish Pacing”. The first letter in each word represents the first letter of the prefix. “M” is the base unit for length (meters). Don't think that you have to use mnemonic tools that are commonly used or created by others. If you create your own mnemonic tool, you may find it easier to remember.
- You can also use mnemonic tools to remember base units. For example, “Singing a Happy Song” to remember that the basic units of length, volume, and weight are meters, liters, and grams.
Step 5. Connect the units of measure to each other
Metric units of measure are ordered in tens. So, one step up or down represents one decimal place. Once you understand the basic units, you can calculate larger or smaller units by moving the decimal point to the right or to the left.
- For example, you have a size of 6,500[,] meters and you want to convert it to kilometers. “Kilo-” is the third prefix before the base unit, so move the decimal point three times to the left. 6500 meters = 6.5 kilometers.
- Move the decimal point to the left if you want to change the value to a larger unit of measure. Move the comma to the right if you want to change the value to a smaller unit of measure. Add zeros to fill in the space if needed. For example, 5[,] kilograms = 5,000[,] grams. The decimal point starts after the “5” then you move it three times to the right.
- The different basic units are actually related. For example, one liter is equal to one kilogram. Be warned, although the kilogram is considered a standard measure of weight in certain contexts, such as human weight, the gram is still considered the basic unit of weight.
Method 2 of 3: Think Using Metrics
Step 1. Avoid translating the Imperial System to the metric system or vice versa
If you want to really understand the metric system, put the metric system and the Imperial System in your brain as two distinct and unrelated things.
- Think of the metric system as another language. If you are learning a second language, you can learn by translating words and phrases from the second to the first, but to really understand a second language, you have to think about using it.
- Instead of looking at the metric system as a “translation” of the Imperial System, think about how you learned the Imperial System for the first time. You know how much “a gallon” is because you often see gallons of milk. Learn the metric system the same way.
Step 2. Identify the reference object
Perhaps you already have a basis for the different weights and sizes using the Imperial System by equating them with the sizes of objects you see everyday. You can use the same principles to understand the metric system better.
For example, doorknobs are usually installed one meter from the floor. An egg generally weighs 50 grams. For volume, think about the size of a liter of soft drink
Step 3. Label the items in your home
To get used to thinking in the metric system rather than the Imperial system, estimate the size and weight of the various objects in your home. Start with objects you see or use frequently.
- You can paste a size note on the object so you can read it every time you see the object.
- After a while, you will associate an object with its size in your head. For example, you have a cake container that is 40 cm high. Attach a label that says "40 cm" on the container. When someone mentions 50 cm, you can make a good estimate of how long 50 cm is because you can add 10 cm to the height of your cake tin.
Step 4. Use the metric system for general distances
If you are going to travel to another country, you need to understand kilometers and meters so that you can find the right path. Start by learning the distance to a place you frequent.
If you go to work or school every day, find out how many kilometers you have covered. For example, maybe you work in a shop 12 kilometers from your home. If you're traveling to another country and people tell you that your hotel is 10 kilometers from the airport, you can compare that distance to the distance between your home and work to determine if you can walk or have to find a taxi
Step 5. Use the metric system in the kitchen
The kitchen can be one of the best places to start using the metric system in your everyday life, especially if you cook a lot. Most cookbooks list ingredients using the metric and Imperial systems.
- If there is an Imperial measurement type in the book, it's a good idea to cross it out in black ink so you're not tempted to look at it.
- Replace all spoons and measuring bowls using the metric system. When you cook, only use those tools and try to forget how much they are if using the Imperial System.
Step 6. Concentrate on metric sizes when shopping
Grocery stores are a good place to practice using the metric system because almost all food wraps use both metric and Imperial size labels.
Train yourself to look up metric sizes automatically and think about how much food to eat using metric measures
Method 3 of 3: Changing Metric Values
Step 1. Think in tens
The metric system simplifies measurement by converting larger units to smaller units using a multiplication of ten. One particular unit of measure is equal to ten times the unit of measure that is one level below it.
It was difficult to get used to this system because the Imperial System was not set up this way. For example, one foot equals 12 inches. To convert feet to inches, you must multiply by 12. However, since the metric system is set up using the tens product, there is no complex mathematical process for converting units in the metric system
Step 2. Learn the order of prefixes
To use the metric system, you must add a prefix to the base unit. These prefixes are sorted from largest to smallest: kilo-, hectare-, deca-, (base unit), deci-, centi-, milli-. Each prefix represents one multiplication of tens.
You can multiply or divide using the number ten to convert the number to a larger or smaller unit of measure
Step 3. Divide by ten if you want to convert the number to a larger unit of measure
If you have a very large number, divide it by 10 and write the larger unit of measure behind the number. This makes your numbers clearer and simpler.
- For example, you have a bottle of juice with a volume of 2,000 milliliters. It will be simpler and easier to understand if you say the volume of the juice is 2 liters. You probably know the size of a 2 liter bottle. To convert 2,000 milliliters to liters, divide 2,000 by 10 three times because "milli-" is three steps below the base unit, "liter". 2,000 10 10 10 = 2.
- When moving from a larger unit to a smaller unit, count the number of steps you have to climb. Each rung is worth 10 so every time you go down one rung, multiply by 10.
Step 4. Multiply by ten if you want to convert a certain number to a smaller unit of measure
Multiply the number with the larger unit by a multiple of ten. This will convert the number to a number with a smaller unit of measure.
- If you are comparing the sizes of two objects, you should use the same units of measure. This requires that you convert a number with a certain unit of measure to a smaller or larger unit of measure.
- For example, you list restaurants within a 1 kilometer radius of your home. The furthest restaurant is 1 kilometer from your house, but other restaurants are only a few meters away. Convert the distance from the furthest restaurant to meters by multiplying by 10 three times because the "kilo-" is three steps above the base unit "meter". 1 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000 meters.
