CECmath.38


TITLE:    METRIC EQUIVALENTS

AUTHOR:   Rebecca Tresino, Sun Valley Jr./Sr. High, AK

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:     Math - Secondary Students

OVERVIEW: Students will use a shortcut method to change one
metric unit to another (Ex: kilometers to centimeters), by
using a diagram which uses words students can relate and
remember.

PURPOSE:  To simplify metric equivalents.

OBJECTIVES:  Students will be able to convert a metric
measurement to another, easily and quickly.

ACTIVITIES:

          K  H  D   (unit)    D  C  M
                   ---------

which stands for:

          K  H  D   (meter)    D  C  M
          i  e  e   --------   e  e  i
          l  c  k              c  n  l
          o  t  a              i  t  i
             o                    i


students will remember:

K  over  H over  D over  _________  D over  C over  M
i        u       r                  o       a       o
n        m       a                  g       t       u
g        a       g                                  s
s        n       o                                  e
         s       n
                 s


1.   You will decide what unit you are changing FROM and
     what unit you are changing TO.
2.   Starting at the FROM unit, count over (keeping in mind-
     "left" or "right") to the TO unit.

**This will be the number of places you will move the
decimal in your answer.


EXAMPLES:   32 kilograms = ______________ grams

You want to change FROM kilograms TO grams.  Use diagram and
count over, starting at kilograms to grams.

K  H  D    (grams)  D  C  M
          --------
-> 1->2->   3

**(3 places to the right)

Now we use this information (3 places to the "right") and
apply to the given information - 32 kilograms.


given info          3 places to the "right"
-----------         ------------------------
32 kilograms  =     32.000.  =  32000

32 kilograms  =  32000 grams
                 -----