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Metric System of Measurement
The metric system is a base-ten measurement system used by most countries worldwide. It is built on three fundamental base units:
- meter (m) — the base unit of length
- liter (L) — the base unit of capacity (volume)
- gram (g) — the base unit of mass
Larger and smaller units are created by attaching prefixes to the base unit, each prefix representing a specific power of :
| Prefix | Symbol | Factor |
|---|---|---|
| kilo- | k | 1{,}000 () |
| hecto- | h | () |
| deka- | da | () |
| (base) | — | () |
| deci- | d | 0.1 () |
| centi- | c | 0.01 () |
| milli- | m | 0.001 () |
Because every step between adjacent prefixes is a factor of , converting within the metric system amounts to moving the decimal point. For example, kilometer meters and centimeter meters.
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Metric System of Measurement
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Learn After
Mixed Units of Measurement in the Metric System
In a professional laboratory setting, precise measurement is critical for safety and quality. Match each metric prefix used in equipment calibration with its corresponding numerical factor relative to the base unit.
In a healthcare facility, a nurse is recording the volume of fluid intake for a patient to ensure proper hydration. Which of the following is the fundamental base unit for capacity (volume) in the metric system?
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In a precision engineering lab, measurements must be meticulously recorded across different scales to ensure parts fit together correctly. Arrange the following metric prefixes in order from the largest factor to the smallest factor relative to the base unit.
In a healthcare setting, a pharmacist is preparing a solution measured in milliliters (mL). The prefix 'milli-' in the metric system indicates that the unit represents a factor of 0.1 (one-tenth) of the base unit.
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A logistics manager at an international shipping hub is reviewing a cargo manifest that lists a measurement with the prefix symbol 'da'. Which metric prefix does this symbol represent?
A technician in a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility is recording the mass of a solid chemical ingredient. Which of the following is the fundamental base unit for mass in the metric system?
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