Section III. THE METRIC SYSTEM
1-8.
ADVANTAGES OVER OTHER SYSTEMS
a. Every weight and measure in the metric system bears a simple relation to the
initial unit, the meter.
b. Every unit is multiplied or divided by the same number (that is, 10) to obtain
the next higher or lower denomination, and an increase or decrease is expressed by
moving the decimal point either to the right or to the left.
c. Its almost universal adoption makes it an international system.
1-9. VALUES OF PREFIXES
a. The three basic units of the metric system are the meter, the gram, and the
liter. The names of the other units are formed by adding a prefix to one of these basic
units. Each prefix has a corresponding numerical value. These are listed below.
Prefix
Value
Basic Units
meter (m)
micro (mc,
)=
1___
gram (gm)
1,000,000
liter (l)
milli (m)
=
1___
1000
centi (c)
=
1__
100
deci (d)
=
1_
10
deka (dk)
=
10
hecto (h)
=
100
kilo (k)
=
1000
__1_
b. For example, a milliliter (ml) is equal to 1000 of a liter (l). A kilogram (kg) is
equal to 1000 grams (g).
MD0913
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