Metric system: based on decimals (base-10 positional notation). Why metric?

Table 1.1 Metric units and abbreviations p. 2

* = basic units: meter=m, gram=g, liter=l); abbreviations (k, h, da, d, c, m, µ, n).
Note: 1 ml = 1 cc (cubic cm; volume is the space occupied by a substance in 3 dimensions, equivalent to length x width x height).

Table 1.2 Metric prefixes: Definitions and conversion table.

(kilo ... nano)

To convert from small unit (gram) to large unit (kilogram), move the decimal to the LEFT:
1.0 g = 0.001 kg.

To convert from large unit (meter) to small unit (millimeter), move the decimal to the RIGHT:
1.0 m = 1000. mm.

Example conversions:

1. small unit -> large unit: move decimal to LEFT
   72.19 mm = .07219 m

2. large unit -> small unit: move decimal to RIGHT p. 4
   2.945 dag = 29,450 mg

• Length
  Measure microscope slide, student height. p. 5
  Record on board and write class data in Table 3a of Graphing lab p. 21. Data will be used for Graphing lab.

• Mass
  Measure coin, keys. (Use electronic scales if no triple beam balance)

• Section 3 - Volume p. 6
  Note volume can be thought as length in 3 dimensions (length * height * width); 1ml = 1cc (cubic cm).
  Measure volume of marble with 50 ml graduated cylinder.
  Measure volume of drinking glass (~80% of a pint), convert to liter.
  Measure from bottom of meniscus of graduated cylinder. p. 7