Table of Contents

Teaching and Learning The Metric System

Unit 1

- Suggested Teaching Sequence - Objectives - Rules of Notation - Metric Units, Symbols, and Referents - Metric Prefixes - Linear Measurement Activities - Area Measurement Activities - Volume Measurement Activities - Mass (Weight) Measurement Activities - Temperature Measurement Activities

1

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

3 

5 

7 

9 

11

Unit 2

- Objectives - Suggested Teaching Sequence - Metrics in the Office - Type It Metric Style - Write & Spell It Right - Trying Out Metric Units - Use Those Metric Terms - Writing Metric Terms

12

12

12

12

13

16

17

18

19

Unit 3

- Objective - Suggested Teaching Sequence - Metric-Metric Equivalents - Changing Units at Work

20

20

20

20

22

Unit 4

- Objective - Suggested Teaching Sequence - Working With Metrics - Proofreading Metric Terms - Metric Layouts/ Shorthand

23

23

23

23

24

25

Unit 5

- Objective - Suggested Teaching Sequence - Metric-Customary Equivalents - Any Way You Want It

26

26

26

26

27

Testing Metric Abilities 28

Answers to Exercises and Test 29

Tools and Devices List

References

TEACHING AND LEARNING 

THE METRIC SYSTEM 

This metric instructional package was designed to meet job-related 

metric measurement needs of students. To use this package students 

should already know the occupational terminology, measurement 

terms, and tools currently in use. These materials were prepared with 

the help of experienced vocational teachers, reviewed by experts, tested 

in classrooms in different parts of the United States, and revised before 

distribution. 

Each of the five units of instruction contains performance objectives, learning activities, and supporting information in the form of 

text, exercises, and tables. In addition, suggested teaching techniques 

are included. At the back of this package are objective-based evaluation 

items, a page of answers to the exercises and tests, a list of metric 

materials needed for the activities, references, and a list of suppliers. 

Classroom experiences with this instructional package suggest the 

following teaching-learning strategies: 

1. Let the first experiences be informal to make learning the metric 

system fun. 

2. Students learn better when metric units are compared to familiar 

objects. Everyone should learn to "think metric." Comparing 

metric units to customary units can be confusing. 

3. Students will learn quickly to estimate and measure in metric units 

by "doing." 

4. Students should have experience with measuring activities before 

getting too much information. 

5. Move through the units in an order which emphasizes the simplicity of the metric system (e.g., length to area to volume ). 

6. Teach one concept at a time to avoid overwhelming students with 

too much material. 

Unit 1 is a general introduction to the metric system of measurement which provides informal, hands-on experiences for the students. 

This unit enables students to become familiar with the basic metric 

units, their symbols, and measurement instruments; and to develop a 

set of mental references for metric values. The metric system of notation also is explained. 

Unit 2 provides the metric terms which are used in this occupation 

and gives experience with occupational measurement tasks. 

Unit 3 focuses on job-related metric equivalents and their relationships. 

Unit 4 provides experience in recognizing and using metric units, 

terms, and symbols in proofing, typing, layout, and shorthand tasks. 

Unit 5 is designed to give students practice in converting customary and metric measurements. Students should learn to "think metric" 

and avoid comparing customary and metric units. However, skill with 

conversion tables will be useful during the transition to metric in each 

occupation. 

Using These Instructional Materials 

This package was designed to help students learn a core of knowledge about the metric system which they will use on the job. The 

exercises facilitate experiences with measurement instruments, tools, 

and devices used in this occupation and job-related tasks of estimating 

and measuring. 

This instructional package also was designed to accommodate a 

variety of individual teaching and learning styles. Teachers are encouraged to adapt these materials to their own classes. For example, the 

information sheets may be given to students for self-study. References 

may be used as supplemental resources. Exercises may be used in independent study, small groups, or whole-class activities. All of the 

materials can be expanded by the teacher. 

Gloria S Cooper 

Joel H. l\.1agisos 

Editors 

Th is publication was developed pursuant to contract No. OEC-0-74-9335 with the 

Bureau of Occupational and Adult Education, U .S. Department of Health, Educa· 

t ion and Welfare. However, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily 

reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Office of Education and no official 

endorsement by the U .S Offi ce of Education should be in ferred. 
1. 

2. 

3. 

UNIT 1 

SUGGESTED TEAClllNG SEQUENCE 

These introductory exercises may require 

two or three teaching periods for all five 

areas of measurement. 

Exercises should be followed in the order 

given to best show the relationship 

between length, area, and volume. 

Assemble the metric measuring devices 

(rules, tapes, scales, thermometers, and 

measuring containers) and objects to be 

measured.* 

4. Set up the equipment at work stations 

for use by the whole class or as individualized resource activities. 

5. Have the students estimate, measure, and 

record using Exercises 1 through 5. 

6. Present information on notation and 

make Table 1 available. 

7. Follow up with group discussion of 

activities. 

*Other school departments may have devices which 

can be used. Metric suppliers are listed in the reference 

section. 

~ .... VOC"-'"""''-EDUCA....., 

' 

OBJECTIVES 

The student will demonstrate these skills for the Linear, Area, Volume or Capacity, Mass, and 

Temperature Exercises, using the metric terms and measurement devices listed here. 

SKILLS 

1. Recognize and use the 

unit and its symbol for: 

2. Select, Ule, and read the 

appr<>priate measuring 

instruments for: 

3. State or show a 

physical reference for: 

4. Estimate within 25% 

of the actual measure 

E. Read correctly 

Linear 

(pp. 3 ·4) 

millimetre (mm) 

centimetre (em) 

metre (m) 

height, width. or 

length of objects 

metre stick, metric 

tape measure, and 

metric rulers 

RULES OF NOTATION 

Area 

(pp. 5·6) 

square 

centimetre 

(cm2 ) 

square 

metre 

(m2) 

the area of 

a given surface 

EXERCISES 

Volume or Capacity 

(pp. 7 · 8) 

cubic centi· 

metre (cm3 ) 

cubic metre 

(mJ) 

litre (I) 

millilitre (ml) 

capacity of 

containers 

measurements 

on graduated 

volume meaaur· 

ing devices 

Mus 

(pp. 9 ·10) 

gram (g) 

kilogram (kg) 

the mass of objects 

in grams and kilograms 

a kilogram scale 

and a gram scale 

Temperature 

(p. 11) 

the temperature of 

the air or a liquid 

A Celsius thermometer 

1. Symbols are not capitalized unless the unit is a proper name (mm not MM). 

2. Symbols are not followed by periods (m not m.). 

3. Symbols are not followed by an s for plurals (25 g not 25 gs). 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

A space separates the numerals from the unit symbols (4 1 not 41). 

Spaces, not cornrnas, are used to separate large nurribers into groups of three 

digits ( 45 271 km not 45,271 km). · 

A zero precedes the decimal point if the number is less than one (0.52 g not .52 g). 

Litre and metre can be spelled either with an -re or -er ending. 

Information Sheet 1 

1 
2 

METRIC UNITS, SYMBOLS, AND REFERENTS METRIC PREFIXES 

Quantity Metric Unit Symbol Useful Referents Multiples and 

Prefixes Symbols Submultiples 

Length millimetre mm Thickness of dime or paper 

clip wire 

1 000 000 = 106 mega (meg'a) M 

centimetre em Width of paper clip 1 000 = 103 kilo (k Uo) k 

metre m Height of door about 2 m 100 = 102 hecto (hek'to ) h 

kilometre krn 12-minute walking distance 10 = 101 deka (dek'a) da 

Area square Area of this space 

D centimetre cm2 

Base Unit 1 = 10° 

0.1 = 10-l deci < des'i> d 

0.01 = 10-2 centi (sen' ti) c 

square metre m2 Area of card table top 0.001 = 10- 3 milli ( nill'f) m 

hectare ha Football field including sidelines 

and end zones 0.000 001 = 10- 6 micro (nii'kro) J1 

Volume and millilitre mi Teaspoon is 5 ml 

Capacity litre I A little more than 1 quart Table 1- b 

cubic 

centimetre cm3 Volume of this container 

OJ 

cubic metre m3 A little more than a cubic yard 

Mass milligram mg Apple seed about 10 mg, grain of 

salt, 1 mg 

gram g Nickel about 5 g 

kilogram kg Webster's Colleghite Dictionary 

metric ton 

( 1 000 kilolll8mS) t Volkswagen Beetle 

Table 1-a 
LINEAR MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Metre, Centimetre, Millimetre 

I. THE METRE (m) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE SIZE OF A METRE 

1. Pick up one of the metre 

sticks and stand it up on the 

floor. Hold it in place with 

one hand. Walk around the 

stick. Now stand next to 

the stick. With your other 

hand, touch yourself where 

the top of the metre stick 

comes on you . 

THAT IS HOW HIGH A METRE IS! 

2. Hold one arm out straight 

at shoulder height. Put 

the metre stick along this 

arm until the end hits the 

end of your fingers. Where 

is the other end of the 

metre stick? Touch yourself at that end. 

THAT IS HOW LONG A .METRE IS! 

3. Choose a partner to stand 

at your side. Move apart 

so that you can put one 

end of a metre stick on 

your partner's shoulder 

and the other end on 

your shoulder. Look at 

the space betwe~n you. 

THAT IS THE WIDTH OF A METRE! 

3 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN METRES 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Now you will improve your ability to estimate in metres. 

Remember where the length and height of a metre was on your 

body. 

For each of the following items: 

Estimate the size of the items and write your estimate in the 

ESTIMATE column. Measure the size with your metre stick 

and write the answer in the MEASUREMENT column. 

Decide how close your estimate was to the actual measure. If 

your estimate was within 25% of the actual measure you are a 

"Metric :Marvel." 

Height of door knob 

from floor. 

Height of door. 

Length of table. 

Width of table. 

Length of wall of 

this room. 

Distance from 

you to wall. 

Estimate 

(m) 

~asurement 

(m) 

How Close 

Were You? 

Exercise 1 

(continued on next page) 
4 

II. THE CENTIMETRE (em) 

There are 100 centimetres in one metre. If there are 4 metre!': and 

3 centimetres, you write 403 em [(4 x 100 em)+ 3 em = 400 em 

+ 3 em]. 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE SIZE OF A CENTIMETRE 

1. Hold the metric ruler against the width of your thumbnail. 

How wide is it? em 

2. Measure your thumb from the first joint to the end. 

em 

3. Use the metric ruler to find the width of your palm. 

em 

4. Measure your index or pointing finger. How long is it? 

em 

5. Measure your wrist with a tape measure. What is the distance 

around it? em 

6. Use the tape measure to find your waist size. ____ em 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN CENTIMETRES 

You are now ready to estimate in centimetres. For each of the 

following items, follow the procedures used for estimating in 

metres. 

1. Length of a paper 

clip. 

2. Diameter (width) 

of a coin. 

3. Width of a 

postage stamp. 

4. Length of a 

pencil. 

5. Width of a sheet 

of paper. 

Estimate Measurement 

(em) (em) 

How Close 

Were You? 

III. THE MILLIMETRE (m.m) 

There are 10 millirnetres in one centimetre. When a measurement if' 

2 centimetres and 5 millimetres, you write 25 mm [(2 x 10 mm) 

+ 5 mm = 20 mm + 5 mm] . There are 1 000 mm in 1 m. 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE SIZE OF. A lVfiLLIMETRE 

Using a ruler marked in millimetres, measure: 

1. ThickneSs of a paper clip wire. ________ mm 

2. Thickness of your fingernail. ____ mm 

3. Width of youriingemail. ____ mm 

4. Diameter (width)of a coiri. ____ mm 

5. Diameter (thickness) of your pencil. ____ mm 

6. Width of a postage stamp. ____ mm 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN MILLIMETRES 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

You are now ready to estimate in millimetres. For each of the 

following items, follow the procedures used for estimating in 

metres. 

How Close 

Estimate Measurement Were You? 

(mm) (mm) 

Thickness of a 

nickel. 

Diameter (thickness) 

of a bolt. · 

Length of a bolt. 

Width of a sheet 

of paper. --- Thickness of a board 

or desk top. 

Thickness of a 

button. 

Exercise 1 
AREA MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Square Centimetre, Square Metre 

WHEN YOU DESCRIBE THE AREA OF SOMETHING, YOU ARE 

SAYING HOW MANY SQUARES OF A GIVEN SIZE IT TAKES TO 

COVER THE SURF ACE. 

I. THE SQUARE CENTIMETRE (cm2 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A SQUARE CENTIMETRE 

1. Take a clear plastic grid, or use the grid on page 6. 

2. Measure the length and width of one of these small 

squares with a centimetre ruler. 

THAT IS ONE SQUARE CENTIMETRE! 

3. Place your fingernail over the grid. About how many 

squares does it take to cover your fingernail? ___ cm2 

4. Place a coin over the grid. About how many squares 

does it take to cover the coin? ___ cm2 

5. Place a postage stamp over the grid. About how many 

squares does it take to cover the postage stamp? ___ cm2 

6. Place an envelope over the grid. About how many 

squares does it take to cover the envelope? 

___ cm2 

7. Measure the length and width of the envelope in centimetres. Length em; width em. 

Multiply to find the area in square centimetres. 

____ em x em = cm2. How . 

close are the answers you have in 6. and in 7.? 

5 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN SQUARE 

CENTIMETRES 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

You are now ready to develop your ability to estimate 

in square centimetres. 

Remember the size of a square centimetre. For each of the 

following items, follow the procedures used for estimating in 

metres. 

Index card. 

Book cover. 

Photograph. 

Window pane or 

desk top. 

Estimate 

(cm2 ) 

How Close 

Were You? 

II. THE SQUARE METRE (m2 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A SQUARE METRE 

1. Tape four metre sticks together to make a square which 

is one metre long and one metre wide. 

2. Hold the square up with one side on the floor to see how 

big it is. 

3. Place the square on the floor in a comer. Step back and 

look. See how much floor space it covers. 

4. Place the square over a table top or desk to see how 

much space it covers. 

5. Place the square against the bottom of a door. See how 

much of the door it covers. How many squares would it 

take to cover the door? m2 

THIS IS HOW BIG A SQUARE METRE IS! 

Exercise 2 

(continued on next page) 
6 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN SQUARE CENTIMETRE GRID 

METRES 

You are .now ready. to estimate in square metres. Follow the 

procedures used ,for estimating in metres. 

How Close 

Estimate :Measurement Were You? 

(m2) (m2) 

1. Door. 

2. Full sheet of 

newspaper. 

3. Chalkboard or 

bulletin board. 

4. Floor. 

5. Wall. 

6. Wall chart or poster. 

7. Side of file cabinet. 

Exercise 2 
VOLUME MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Cubic Centimetre, Litre, Millilitre, Cubic Metre 

I. THE CUBIC CENTlMETRE ( cm3 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE CUBIC CENTIMETRE 

1. Pick up a colored plastic cube. Measure its length, 

height, and width in centi~tres. 

THAT IS ONE CUBIC CENTIMETRE! 

2. Find the volume of a plastic litre box. 

a. Place a ROW of cubes against the bottom of one side 

of the box. How many cubes fit in the row? ___ _ 

b. Place another ROW of cubes against an adjoining side 

of the box. How many rows fit inside the box 

to make one layer of cubes? ----

How many cubes in each row? ___ _ 

How many cubes in the layer in the bottom of the 

box? ___ _ 

c. Stand a ROW of cubes up against the side of the box. 

How many LAYERS would fit in the box? ___ _ 

How many cubes in each layer? ___ _ 

How many cubes fit in the box altogether? ----

THE VOLUME OF THE BOX IS ___ CUBIC 

CENTIMETRES. 

d. Measure the length, width, and height of the box in 

centimetres. Length em; width em; 

height em. Multiply these numbers to find 

the volume in cubic centimetres. 

em x em x em = cm3. - - - --- Are the answers the same in c. and d.? 

~"'" VOCAnoNAL EDUCATION 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTII'v1ATE IN CUBIC 

CENTIMETRES 

1. 

You are now ready to develop your ability to estimate 

in cubic centimetres. 

Remember the size of a cubic centimetre. For each of 

the following items, use the procedures for estimating in 

metres. 

Index card file 

box. 

Estimate 

(cm3 ) 

Measurement 

(cm3 ) 

How Close 

Were You? 

2. Freezer container. 

3. Paper clip box. 

4. Box of staples. 

II. THE LITRE (I) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A LITRE 

1. Take a one litre beaker and fill it with water. 

7 

2. Pour the water into paper cups, filling each as full as you 

usually do. How many cups do you fill? 

THAT IS HOW MUCH IS IN ONE LITRE! 

3. Fill the litre container with rice. 

THAT IS HOW MUCH IT TAKES TO FILL A ONE 

LITRE CONTAINER! 

Exercise 3 

(continued on next page) 
8 

m. 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTL\1ATE IN LITRES 

You are now ready to develop your ability to estimate in 

litres. To write two and one-halflitres, you write 2.5 I, or 

2.5 litres. To write one-half litre, you write 0.51, or 0.5 

litre. To write two and three-fourths litres, you write 

2.751, or 2.75 litres. 

For each of the following items, use the procedures for 

estimating in metres. 

Estimate Measurement 

(I) (l) 

1. Medium-size 

freezer container. 

2. Large freezer 

container. 

3. Small freezer 

container. 

4. Bottle or jug. 

THE MlLLILITRE (rnl) 

How Close 

Were You? 

There are 1 000 rnillilitres in one litre. 1 000 rnl = 1 litre. Half 

a litre is 500 rnillilitres, or 0.5 litre = 500 mi. 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A MILLILITRE 

1. Examine a centimetre cube., Anything which holds 

1 ern 3 holds 1 mi. 

2. Fill a 1 rnillilitre measuring spoon with rice. Empty the 

spoon into your hand. Carefully pour the rice into a 

small pile on a sheet of paper. 

THAT IS HOW MUCH ONE MILLILITREIS! 

3. Fill the 5 rnl spoon with rice. Pour the rice into another 

pile on the sheet of paper. 

THAT IS 5 MILLILITRES, OR ONE TEASPOON! 

4. Fill the 15 rnl spoon with rice. Pour the rice into a third 

pile on the paper. 

THAT IS 15 .MILLILITRES, OR ONE TABLESPOON! 

~·NTER FOA VOCAT>ONAL 'DUCATOON 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN .MILLILITRES 

1. 

2. 

3. 

You are now ready to estimate in rnillilitres. Follow the 

procedures used for estimating metres. 

Small juice can. 

Paper cup or tea 

cup. 

Soft drink can. 

Estimate 

(ml) 

How Close 

Measurement Were You? 

.(ml) 

4. Bottle. 

IV. THE CUBIC METRE (m3 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A CUBIC METRE 

1. Place a one metre square on the floor next to the wall. 

2. Measure a metre UP the wall. 

3. Picture a box that would fit into that space. 

THAT IS THE VOLUME OF ONE CUBIC METRE! 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN CUBIC METRES 

For each of the following items, follow the estimating procedures used before. 

1. Office desk. 

2. File cabinet. 

3. Small room. 

How Close . 

Measurement Were You? 

(m3) 

Exercise3 
MASS (WEIGHT) MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Kilogram, Gram 

The mass of an object is a measure of the amount of matter in the 

object. This amount is always the same unless you add or subtract some 

matter from the object. Weight is the term that most people tise when 

they mean mass. The weight of an object is affected by gravity; the 

mass of an object is not. For example, the weight of a person on earth 

might be 120 pounds; that same person's weight on the moon would be 

20 pounds. This difference is because the pull of gravity on the moon 

is less than the pull of gravity on earth. A person's mass on the earth 

and on the moon would be the same. The metric system does not 

measure weight--it measures mass. We will use the term mass here. 

The symbol for gram is g. 

The symbol for kilogram is kg. 

There are 1 000 grams in one kilogram, or 1 000 g = 1 kg. 

Half a kilogram can be written as 500 g,or 0.5 kg. 

A quarter of a kilogram can be written as 250 g,or 0.25 kg. 

Two and three-fourths kilograms is written as 2.75 kg. 

I. THE KILOGRAM (kg) 

DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE MASS OF A KILOGRAM 

Using a balance or scale, find the mass of the items on the table. 

Before you find the mass, notice how heavy the object "feels" 

and compare it to the reading on the scale or balance. 

~<NTER- VOCAnoNAL EOUCATOOOO 

Mass 

(kg) 

1. 1 kilogram box. 

2. Textbook. 

3. Bag of sugar. 

4. Package of paper. 

5. Your own mass. 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN KILOGRAMS 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

For the following items ESTIMATE the mass of the object in 

kilograms, then use the scale or balance to find the exact mass 

of the object. Write the exact mass in the MEASUREMENT 

column. Determine how close your estimate is: 

Bag of rice. 

Bag of nails. 

Large purse or 

briefcase. 

Another person. 

A few books. 

Estimate Measurement 

(kg) (~) 

How Close 

Were You? 

Exercise 4 

(continued on next page) 

9 
10 

II. THE GRAM {g) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A GRAM 

1. Take a colored plastic cube. Hold it in your hand. 

2. 

Shake the cube in your palm as if shaking dice . Feel the 

pressure on your hand when the cube is in motion, then 

when it is not in motion. 

THAT IS HOW HEAVY A GRAM IS! 

Take a second cube artd attach it to the first. Shake the 

cubes in first one hand and then the other hand; rest 

the cubes near the tips of your fingers, moving your 

hand up and down. 

THAT IS THE MASS OF TWO GRAMS! 

3. Take five cubes in one hand and shake them around. 

THAT IS THE MASS OF FIVE GRAMS! 

a:3CENHR..,. VOCATOONAC 'DUCATiDN 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN GRAMS 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4 . 

5. 

6. 

You are now ready to improve your ability to estimate in 

grams. Remember how heavy the 1 gram cube is, how heavy 

the two gram cubes are, and how heavy the five gram cubes 

are. For each of the following items, follow the procedures 

used for estimating in kilograms. 

Two thumbtacks. 

Pencil. 

Two-page letter 

and envelope. 

Nickel. 

Apple. 

Package of 

margarine. 

Estimate 

{g) 

:Measurement 

(g) 

How Close 

Were You? 

Exercise 4 
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Degree Celsius 

I. DEGREE CELSIUS (

0

C) 

Degree Celsius (

0

C} is the metric measure for temperature. 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR DEGREE CELSIUS 

Take a Celsius thermometer. Look at the marks on it. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Find 0 degrees. 

WATER FREEZES AT ZERO DEGREES CELSIUS (0°C} 

WATER BOILS AT 100 DEGREES CELSIUS (100°C} 

Find the temperature of the room. ___ °C. Is the 

room cool, warm, or about right? 

Put some hot water from the faucet into a container. 

Find the temperature. °C. Dip your finger 

quickly in and out of the water. Is the water very hot, 

hot, or just warm? 

Put some cold water in a container with a thermometer. 

Find the temperature. °C. Dip your finger into 

the water. Is it cool, cold, or very cold? 

Bend your arm with the inside of your elbow around the 

bottom of the thermometer. After about three minutes 

find the temperature. °C. Your skin temperature is not as high as your body temperature. 

NORMAL BODY TEl\1PERATURE IS 37 DEGREES 

CELSIUS (37°C}. 

A FEVER IS 39°C. 

A VERY HIGH FEVER IS 40°C. 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN DEGREES 

CELSIUS 

11 

For each item, ESTIMATE and write down how many degrees 

Celsius you think it is. Then measure and write the :MEASURE-

:MENT. See how close your estimates and actual measure1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

ments are. 

:Mix some hot and 

cold water in a . 

container. Dip your 

finger into the 

water. 

Pour out some of 

the water. Add some 

hot water. Dip your 

finger quickly into 

the water. 

Outdoor temperature. 

Sunny window sill. 

:Mix of ice and water. 

6. Temperature at 

floor. 

7. Temperature at 

ceiling. 

How Close 

Measurement Were You? 

(OC) 

Exercise 5 
12 

UNIT 2 

OBJECTIVES 

The student will recognize, select, and 

write correctly metric quantities used in job 

related tasks. 

• Given a metric measurement task, select 

the appropriate metric unit. 

• Given a metric measurement task in this 

occupation, estimate then measure the 

metric quantity. 

• Given a metric quantity, write the 

measurement correctly using either the 

symbols or the name of the unit. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Present or make available Information 

Sheet 2. 

2. Present or make available the information in Tables lb, 2, and 3. Discuss how 

to use these tables as reference aides. 

(Metric prefixes are located in Table lb. 

Table 2 is a style reference containing 

rules for capitalization, punctuation, 

spacing, spelling, fractions and mathematical operations. It also contains 

suggestions for writing and typing metric 

units, terms, and symbols. Table 3 gives 

the correct spelling of metric units and 

symbols.) 

3. Give the students practice in measuring, 

selecting, and correctly writing metric 

units by completing Exercises 6, 7, and 8. 

4. Test performance by using Section A of 

"Testing Metric Abilities." 

METRICS IN THE OFFICE 

Changeover to the metric system is underway. Large corporations in such areas as transportation, chemicals, information systems, electronics, health equipment and supplies are 

already using the metric measurements to compete on the world market. The metric system 

has been used in various parts of the industrial and scientific communities for years. Legislation passed in 1975 authorizes an orderly transition to metric. As business and industry make 

this changeover, employees will need competency in using metric measurement in job-related 

tasks. 

Business and office workers are more concerned with the correct usage of metric terms and 

symbols than with actual measurement tasks. They use metric terms to place orders, bill 

customers, type and proof correspondence. 

Paper sizes and weights are changing. Margins are changing to centimetres and millimetres. 

Postal rate calculations will be based on grams. Business and office students need to learn to 

pronounce and spell the names of metric units, write the symbols, and use proper metric notation. In addition, they need to be able to recognize the incorrect use of terms; for example, if 

kilograms of chocolate (half a metric ton) is ordered, instead of 500 grams (about a pound). 

Information Sheet 2 
TYPE IT METRIC STYLE 

1. CAPITALIZATION 

1.1 Units 

Unit names are typed in lower case except for the unit Celsius. 

The modifier udegree" in "degree Celsius" is lower case. 

Correct: 

1.2 Symbols 

metre 

litre 

watt 

degree Celsius 

Incorrect: 

METRE 

Litre 

Watt 

degree celsius 

All symbols are typed in lower case except for those units nl\med 

after people, and for the prefixes mega- , giga- . and tera- . 

Correct: Incorrect: 

kg 

m 

W(JamesWatt) 

°C (Anders Celsius) 

M(mega ·) 

T(tera·) 

G (giga·) 

1.3 Table Headings 

Kg 

M 

w 

0 

c 

m 

t 

g 

Units of measure in a table heading can be typed in either all 

capitals or all lower case. Do not mix capital and lower case 

letters in an individual unit of measure. 

Correct: 

GRAMS 

lit res 

Incorrect: 

Grams 

Litres 

2. PUNCTUATION 

2.1 Period 

Do not use a period after a metric symbol unless the symbol ends 

a sentence. 

Correct: 

12cm 

350 g 

Incorrect: 

2.2 Semicolon 

90 km/h 

50ml 

12 cm. 

350 g. 

90 km./h. 

50m.l. 

A semicolon separates numbers in a sequence. 

Correct: 

61 211.1; 9.2; 0.45 

Incorrect: 

61 211.1, 9.2, 0.45 

3. 

2.3 Hyphen 

2.3.1 

2.3.2 

SPACING 

Compound units 

Use a hyphen or space to type compound unit names in 

full. 

Correct: 

Pi-e fixes 

newton-metre 

newton metre 

Incorrect: 

newton·metre 

newtonmetre 

There is no hyphen or space between a prefix and a unit 

of measure. 

Correct: 

millimetre 

kilogram 

megahertz 

Incorrect: 

milli-metre 

kilo-gram 

mega hertz 

3.1 Prefix and Unit Symbols 

Do not leave a space between a s~mbol or name having a prefix. 

Correct: 

mm 

millimetre 

kg 

kilogram 

3.2 Numbers and Symbols 

Incorrect: 

mm 

millimetre 

kg 

kilo gram 

A space is left between a number and a symbol. The symbol for 

"degree Celsius" can be written with or without a space. 

Correct: 

10ml 

8m 

21°Cor21°C 

Incorrect: 

10ml 

8m 

21° c 

3.3 Grouping Numbers 

Numbers that are 1 000 and larger use a space instead of a comma 

to separate groups of three digits. A space is left after each group 

of three numbers both to the left and to the right of the decimal 

point. In a four digit number the space does not have to be used 

except to align with tabulation. 

Correct: Incorrect: 

12 486 g 

1.035 26m 

1025 em or 1 025 em 

25 987 m 

6025m 

10 340m 

42 352m 

12,486 g 

1.03526 m 

25 987 m 

6025 m 

10 340 ·m 

42 352 m 

13 

Table 2 
14 TYPE IT METRIC STYLE 3.4 Decimals 

No space is used before or after the decimal point. 

Correct: 

56.45 m 

1 964.36 kg 

Incorrect: 

56. 45 m 

1 964 .36 kg 

3.5 Mathematical Signs 

Leave a space on each side of mathematical operation signs 

(multiplication, division, etc.) except within a compound symbol. 

Correct: 

4. SPELLING 

2cmx4cm 

8g+5g 

kg/m3 

N·m 

Incorrect: 

2cmx4 em 

8 g+5 g 

kg I m3 

N·m 

4.1 "re" or "er" 

Both "re" and "er" are correct for the metric terms metre/meter 

and litre/liter. Whichever spelling you use, use that spelling 

consistently. 

4.2 Plurals 

4.2.1 Unit symbols 

Do not add an "s" to a symbol to show a plural. 

Correct: 

8cm 

46 g 

3m! 

Incorrect: 

8 ems 

46 gs 

3 mls 

4.2.2 Unit names 

4.2.3 

Unit names are made plural when required. 

Correct: 

75 metres 

2.2 kilograms 

3 litres 

Incorrect : 

75 metre 

2.2 kilogram 

3 litre 

Decimal fractions 

Decimal fractions which are one or less are singular. 

Decimal fractions more j:han one are always plural. 

Correct: Incorrect: 

0 .5 gram 

(five tenths of a 

gram) 

0.8 metre 

(eight tenths of a 

metre) 

2. 2 kilograms 

(two and two tenths 

kilograms) 

25.1 millilitres 

(25 and one tenth 

millilitre) 

0.5 grams 

0.8 metres 

2.2 kilogram 

25.1 millilitre 

a3 CENTER "'"VOCATK>NAL '0UCATOON 

5. 

4.3 Double Vowels 

The final vowel in a prefix is omitted in megohm, kilohm, and 

hectare. For all other cases both vowels are retained and 

pronounced. Do not use a space or hyphen to separate the 

double vowels. 

Correct: 

hectare 

milliampere 

Incorrect: 

hectoare 

millampere 

milli·ampere 

milliampere 

FRACTIONS AND MATHEMATICAL OPERATIONS 

5.1 Fractions 

5.1.1 Decimals 

Decimal notation is preferred for all fractions. However, 

common fractions with a denominator of 2, 3, 4, or 5 

are acceptable. 

Correct: 

4.43km 

0.375 m 

0.75 g or 3/4 g 

1.2mor11/5m 

111correct: 

4 43/100 km 3/8m 

5.1.2 Quantities less than one 

In numbers less than one, a "0 .. precedes the decimal point. 

Correct: 

0.46cm 

0.871 g 

0.75ml 

Incorrect: 

.46cm 

.871 g 

.75ml 

5.2 Multiplication 

5.2.1 Unit symbols 

5.2.2 

Use a raised dot to indicate symbols for units derived as a 

product. 

Correct: 

N·m (newton-metre) 

Pa ·s (pascal second) 

M!tric number calculations 

Incorrect: 

N-m 

Pas 

Use "x" as a multiplier symbol for calculations. Do not 

use the "product dot." 

Correct: 

6.2 mm x 5 

120cmx 10 

72mm x .01 

Incorrect: 

6.2mm·5 

120 cm·10 

72 m·01 

Table 2 

(continued) 
TYPE IT METRIC STYLE 

6 . 

5.3 Division 

Division is indicated by the diagonal (oblique stroke or solidus). 

Only one diagonal should be used in a compound unit of measure. 

5.4 Powers 

5.4.1 

5.4.2 

Correct: 

cm/s 

km/h 

Squares and cubes 

Incorrect: 

...£!!!... s 

km~ 

Use metric symbols with a superscript to indicate area and 

volume. 

Correct: 

Scientific notation 

Incorrect: 

55 sq. mm 

10 cu. em 

3.4 sq. m 

Division can also be shown by using a negative exponent. 

Example: ms· 1 

km·h .J 

m·s -l 

m /s 

km/h 

m/s2 

OTHER SUGGESTIONS 

6.1 Combining M!tric Units 

Do not combine metric units in one expression. 

Correct: 

10.21 m 

400 em by 750 em 

6.2 Combining Words and Symbols 

Incorrect: 

10m 20 em 1 mm 

400 em by 7.5 m 

Do not combine metric words and symbols in one expression. 

Correct: 

6.3 Prefixes 

kilowatts per hour 

kW/h 

Use one prefix with a unit of measure. 

Correct: 

Mg (megagram) 

mm (millimetre) 

Incorrect: 

kilowatts/h 

kW/hour 

Incorrect: 

kkg (kilokilogram) 

dcm ( decicentimetre) 

6.4 Customary and M!tric Symbols 

Do not combine· Customary and metric symbols in the same 

e~pression. 

Correct: Incorrect: 

6.5 The Use of "Per" 

Use the word "per" when writing out a metric expression. Substitute a diagonal (oblique stroke or solidus) to indicate the word 

per when writing metric symbols. 

Correct: 

kilometres per hour 

km/h 

joule per kilogram 

J/kg 

Incorrect: 

kilometres/hour 

kph 

joule/kilogram 

J per kg 

6.6 Typing Suggestions 

6.6.1 

6.6.2 

6.6.3 

6.6.4 

Typeface 

Type metric symbols in upright (roman) type. Use of 

italic (script) letters should be avoided. 

Correct: 

m 

micro- J1 

Incorrect: 

m 

If the symbolp. (mu) is not available, spell out the unit 

name. If necessary, the symbol can be made by striking 

the lowercase "u" and adding a tail to the lower left side. 

Correct: micrometre 

ohm-n 

If the symbol il(Omega) is not available, spell out the 

unit name. 

Correct: ohmil 

litre -I 

The symbol for litre is the lowercase "el." This is often 

confused with the numeral "1, (one). In cases where 

confusion might exist, spell out the unit name in full. 

Correct: 0.5 litre 

70 I 

Table 2 

(continued) 

15 
16 

WRITE & SPELL IT RIGHT 

Quantity Unit Plural Symbol Quantity Unit Plural Symbol 

length metre metres m force newton newtons N 

centimetre centimetres em conductance siemens siemens s 

millimetre millimetres mm electric current ampere amperes A 

kilometre kilometres km electric change coulomb coulombs c area square metre square metres m2 electric volt volts v 

square centimetre square centimetres cm2 potential 

mm2 electric farad farads F 

square millimetre square millimetres capacitance 

volume / cubic metre cubic metres m3 electrical ohm ohms n 

capacity cubic centimetre cubic centimetres cm3 resistance 

litre litres l power watt watts w 

millilitre millilitres ml kilowatt kilowatts kW 

energy joule joules J mass gram grams g kilojoule kilo joules kJ kilogram kilograms kg 

metric ton metric tons t illuminance lux lux lx 

temperature degree Celsius degrees Celsius oc luminous candela candelas cd 

kelvin kelvins K intensity 

kg/m3 density kilogram per kilograms per 

time day days d cubic metre cubic metre 

hour hours h pressure/stress pascal pascals Pa 

minute minutes min kilo pascal kilo pascals kPa second seconds s amount of mole moles mol 

velocity metre per second metres per second m/s substance 

frequency hertz hertz Hz luminous flux lumen lumens lm 

megahertz megahertz :MHz magnetic flux weber webers Wb 

magnetic tesla teslas T 

inductance 

inductance henry henries H 

Table 3 

~""' VOCATOONAL <DUCATOON 
17 

TRYING OUT METRIC UNITS 

To give you practice with metric units, first estimate the measure- Estimate Actual 

ments of the items below. Write down your best guess next to the item. 

Then actually measure the item and write down your answers using the 16. Middle desk drawer 

correct metric symbols. The more you practice, the easier it will be. 

17. File cabinet drawer 

Estimate Actual 

18. Box of rubber bands 

Lengt h 

19. Wastebasket 1. Width of file drawer 

2. File folder width 20. Bottle of typewriter cleaner 

3. Length of standard paper clip 21. Letter size file drawer 

4. Width of desk top 22. Coffee cup 

5. Length of table 

M ass 

6. Length of typing book 23. Ream of paper 

7. Height of the typewriter desk 24 . Typing eraser 

8. Width of " a" key on a 25. Paper clip typewriter 

9. Height of a four-drawer 26. Dictionary 

letter file cabinet 

A rea 27. Business letter in an envelope 

10. Desk top 28. St apler 

11. Small business card 

12. Sheet of typing paper T emperature 

29 . Room temperature 

13. Typing book cover 

30. Outside temperature 

14. Envelope 

31. Hot tap water 

Volume/Ca pacity 32. Cold tap water 15. Small file box 

Exercise 6 
18 

USE THOSE METRIC TERMS .. ·- - -- - -- - - - -

It is important to know what metric measurement to use. Show 13. Determining the height what measurement to use in the following situations. of file cabinet 

1. Determining the area of 14. Finding the depth of desk top file cabinet 

2. Measuring the length of 15. Determining the capacity desk calendar of file drawer 

3. Measuring the width of 16. Ordering a bottle of 

desk calendar liquid correction fluid 

4. Determining the area of 17. Determining how much 

in-out basket water to put in a coffee pot 

5. Measuring the length of 18. Buying rubber cement 

desk pad 

19. Finding the mass of a 

6. Measuring the width of business letter 

desk pad 

20. Finding the mass of a 

7. Determining the top package of 5 typing books 

margin of a letter 

8. Setting the side margin 21. Buying duplicator fluid 

of a letter 22. Determining temperature 

9. Determining the amount 

of the office 

of typewriter cleaner 23. Adjusting chair to fluid in a bottle comfortable height 

10. Determining the correct 24. Finding distances for a dimensions of a piece of mileage report paper 

11. Ordering a box of carbon 25. Ordering typing paper 

paper 

12. Determining the width of 

file folder 

0(3 CENnR FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATI"" Exercise 7 
WRITING METRIC TERMS 

1. Using the reference materials, write metric 

symbols for the following: 

a ) 900 farads 

b) 46 teslas 

c ) 9 webers 

d) 465 metres 

e ) 900 kilolitres 

f ) 649 micrograms 

g ) 41 megavolts 

h) 28 centimetres 

) 981lumens 

) 968 cubic millimetres 

k) 1 square metre 

1 ) 465 metric tons 

m) 90 kilometres per hour 

n) 14 hours 

0) 76 degrees Celsius 

~ENTER R>R VOCAT>ONAL EDUCATO"" 

2. Using the reference materials, write the 

numeral and write out the metric term for 

each of the following: 

a ) 975 cm3 

b) 8411 

c ) 91mm 

d) 47 p.g 

e ) 418 T 

f ) 46N·m 

g ) 78 Wb/m2 

h) 14m3 

) 871 ml 

j 94 g 

k) 853 kPa 

1 ) 95°C 

m) 461 v 

n) 978Tm 

0) 81 kl 

19 

3. Write the metric symbol for the metric 

words that are written out, and write 

the metric words in full for the metric 

symbols that are given. Use Tables 1b, 

2, and 3 as a guide, if necessary. 

a ) Paper width, 

210 millimetres 

b ) Stapler mass, 

400 grams 

c ) Bookshelf width, 

97 centimetres 

d ) File cabinet height, 

1.5 metres 

e ) Cooler of water, 

5 litres 

f ) Dictionary cover 

area, 450 square 

centimetres 

g) Volume of 1 cup of 

coffee, 215 

millilitres 

h ) Typing book mass, 

1 kilogram 

i Eraser, 50 mm 

Desk drawer area, 

10 880 cm3 

k ) 500 ml of coffee 

1 ) Room temperature, 

22°C 

m) Mass of a paper 

clip, 0.5 g 

n ) Height of one bookshelf, 30 em 

o ) Room length, 10m------

P ) Duplicator fluid, 4 1------

Exercise 8 
20 

UNIT3 

OBJECTIVE 

The student will recognize and use metric equivalents. 

• Given a metric unit, state an equivalent 

in a larger or smaller metric unit. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Make available the Information Sheets 

( 3 . 8) and the associated Exercises 

( 9- 15), one at a time. 

2. As soon as you have presented the 

Information, have the students complete 

each Exercise. 

3. Check their answers on the page titled 

ANSWERS TO EXERCISES AND 

TEST. 

4. Test performance by using Section B of 

"Testing Metric Abilities." 

a3 CENT£R .... VOCATK>NAC £DUCATODN 

METRIC-METRIC EQUIVALENTS 

Centimetres and Millimetres 

0 > 

( 

f11Jillljl II ljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljllllj 

1 2 3 4 5 6 (

l'lllllllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlll 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

Look at the picture of the nail next to the ruler. The nail is 57 mm long. This is 5 em+ 7 mm 

There are 10 mm in each em, so 1 mm = 0.1 em (one-tenth of a centimetre). This means that 

7 mm = 0. 7 em, so 57 mm = 5 em + 7 mm 

= 5 em+ 0.7 em 

= 5.7 em. Therefore 57 mm is the same as 5.7 em. 

Now measure the paper clip. It is 34 mm This is the same as 3 em + mm. Since each 

millimetre is 0.1 em (one-tenth of a centimetre), 4 mm = em. So, the paper clip is 

34mm= 3cm+4mm 

3 em+ 0.4 em 

= 3.4 em. This means that 34 mm is the same as 3.4 em. 

Information Sheet 3 

Now you try some. 

a ) 26mm= em e ) 132mm = em 

b) 583 mm ::= em f ) 802mm = em 

c ) 94mm= em g ) 1400 mm em 

d) 680 mm = em h) 2 307 mm em 

Exercise 9 
Metres, Centimetres, and Millimetres 

There are 100 centimetres in one metre. Thus, 

2m = 2 x 100 em = 200 em, 

3m = 3 x 100 1.:m = 300 em, 

8 m = 8 x 100 em = 800 em, 

36m = 36 x 100 em = 3 600 em. 

There are 1 000 millimetres in one metre, so 

2 m = 2 x 1 000 rrun = 2 000 mm, 

3 m = 3 x 1 000 mm = 3 000 mm, 

6 m = 6 x 1 000 rrun = 6 000 mm, 

24 m = 24 x 1 000 rrun = 24 000 mm. 

From your work with decimals you should know that 

one-half of a metre can be written 0.5 m (five-tenths of a metre), 

one-fourth of a centimetre can be written 0.25 em 

(twenty-five hundredths of a centimetre). 

This means that if you want to change three-fourths of a metre to 

millimetres, you would multiply by 1 000. So 

0.75 m = 0.75 x 1 000 mm 

75 

100 x 1 000 mm 

1 000 

75 x 100 mm 

75 x 10 mm 

750 mm. This means that 0.75 m = 750 mm. 

Information Sheet 4 

Fill in the following chart. 

metre centimetre millimetre 

m em mm 

1 100 1000 

2 200 

3 

9 

5 000 

74 

0.8 80 

0.6 600 

2.5 25 

1-18 

639 

Exercise 10 THE CENTER FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION 

Millilitres to Litres 

There are 1 000 millilitres in one litre. This means that 

2 000 millilitres is the same as 2 litres. 

3 000 ml is the same as 3 litres, 

.t 000 ml is the same as 4 litres, 

12 000 ml is the same as 12 litres. 

Since there are 1 000 millilitres in each litre, one way to change rnilli· 

litres to litres is to divide by 1 000. For example, 

1 000 

Or 

1 000 ml = 1 000 litre = 1 litre. 

2 000 

2 000 ml = 1 OOO litres = 2 litres. 

And, as a final example, 

28 000 .28 000 ml = 1 000 litres = 28 litres. 

What if something holds 500 ml? How many litres is this? This is 

worked the same way. 

500 ml = 1 ~~~litre = 0.5 litre (five-tenths of a litre ). So 500 ml 

is the same as one-half (0.5) of a litre. 

Change 57 millilitres to litres. 

57 ml = 1 ~~ litre = 0.057 litre (fifty-seven thousandths of a 

litre). 

21 

Information Sheet 5 

Now you try some. Complete the following chart. 

millili tres litres 

(ml) (I) 

3 000 3 

6 000 

8 

1-t 000 

23 

300 0.3 

700 

0.9 

250 

0.47 

275 

Exercise 11 
22 

Litres to Millilitres 

What do you do if you need to change litres to millilitres? Remember, 

there are 1 000 millilitres in one litre, or 1 litre = 1 000 ml. 

So, 

2 litres = 2 x 1 000 ml = 2 000 ml, 

7 litres = 7 x 1 000 ml = 7 000 ml, 

13 litres =13 x 1 000 ml =13 000 ml, 

0.65 litre = 0.65 x 1 000 ml = 650 ml. 

Information Sheet 6 

Now you try some. Complete the following chart. 

litres millili tres 

l ml 

8 8 000 

5 

46 

32 000 

0.4 

0.53 

480 Exercise 12 

Grams to Kilograms 

There are 1 000 grams in one kilogram. This means that 

2 000 grams is the same as 2 kilograms, 

5 000 g is the same as 5 kg, 

700 g is the same as 0.7 kg, and so on. 

To change from grams to kilograms, you use the same procedure for 

changing from millilitres to litres. 

Information Sheet 7 

Try the following ones. 

grams kilograms 

g kg 

4 000 4 

9 ooo 

23 000 

8 

300 

275 Exercise 13 

Kilograms to Grams 

To change kilograms to grams, you multiply by 1 000. 

4 kg = 4 X 1 000 g = 4 000 g, 

23 kg = 23 X 1 000 g = 23 000 g, 

0.75 kg = 0.75 X 1 000 g = 750 g. 

Information Sheet 8 

Complete the following chart. 

kilograms grams 

kg g 

7 7 000 

11 

25 000 

0.4 

0.63 

175 Exercise 14 

Changing Units at Work 

Some of the things you use in this occupation may be measured in 

different metric units. Practice changing each of the following to 

metric equivalents by completing these statements. 

a ) 500 em of tape is ------------- m 

b ) 250 ml of solution is l 

c ) 2 em stamp is mm 

d ) 500 g of mimeograph ink is-------- kg 

e ) 0.05 litre of fluid is ml 

f ) 1.5 m file cabinet is mm 

g ) 2 500 g package is kg 

h ) 24 em side margin is mm 

i ) 500 ml of fluid is l 

j ) 0.5 t of paper is kg 

k) 10m of twine is em 

l ) 3.5 em paper clip is mm 

m) 20 kg typewriter is g 

n ) 25 em wide envelope is mm 

o ) 2 400 mm room divider length is em 

Exercise 15 
UNIT4 

OBJECTIVES 

The student will correctly proof, type, 

layout pages, and take dictation using metric 

units, terms, and symbols. 

• Given a proofing exercise with metric 

terms, identify the incorrect usage of 

terms and symbols, and correctly type 

the exercise using proper rules of 

notation. 

• Given layout information and metric 

dimensions, prepare an attractive typing 

layout for a page. 

• Given a dictation exercise correctly take 

notes in shorthand and type the metric 

units, terms, and symbols using proper 

rules of notation. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Present or make available Information 

Sheet 9 and Tables 1 b, 2, and 3. 

Review the reference format and ways 

of using the reference material. 

2. Using the references, have students 

complete the proofing and typing 

exercises in Exercise 16. 

3. Assemble equipment (paper, rulers, 

scissors, etc.) and have students complete the layouts in Exercise 17. 

4. Dictate 30 metric terms and a brief 

passage containing metric terms and 

symbols for Exercise 18 on dictating 

equipment. Discuss the implications of 

metric terms in shorthand tasks. Have 

students take notes in shorthand, then 

transcribe and type a final copy from 

their notes. 

NTER roR VOCATK>NAL ' DUCATOON 

WORKING WITH METRICS 

TYPING 

The American Metric Council recommends when the following metric symbols are used 

frequently that they be included on typewriters: 

1. superscripts 2 and 3 for squares and cubes 

2. . sign· for a product dog 

3. symbol 0 for degree 

4. symbol n for ohm 

5. symbol J.L for micro 

A special type element is available for some typewriters which contains these and many 

other characters used in technical reports. Other typewriters can use replaceable character 

keys. 

If neither of these options is available the following procedures can be used on regular 

keyboards. Superscripts, product dots, and degree symbols can be produced by rolling-the 

platen half a space before typing the figure. Numerals are typed as superscripts, the period 

is substituted for the product dot and a lower case "o" is typed for the degree symbol. "Ohm" 

(.Q) should be spelled out whenever possible. Micro (J.L) can be produced by striking a lower 

case "u" and adding a tail to the lower left side. 

LAYOUT AND MARGINS 

Layout designs and margins will be given in millimetres and centimetres. 2.5 em will be 

used instead of 1 inch margins, 3.75 em for 11/2 inches, 5 em for 2 inches, etc. 

SHORTHAND 

No specific rules for writing metric terms in shorthand have yet been established. Some 

stenographers may find it easier to write the metric symbols than the shorthand forms. However, some suggested Gregg shorthand brief forms are located with Exercise 18. 

Information Sheet 9 

23 
24 

PROOFREADING METRIC TERMS 

Part 1. Type the following memo. Be sure to proof it before you begin 

typing. (There are spelling, symbol, and notation errors.) Prepare a 

final mailable copy. 

To: All Staff Date: December 14, 19--

From: Paul Jones, President Subject: Adoption of Metric System 

Due to the recent adoption of the metric system by the United States 

Government, we find some need to expand this company's background 

knowledge of the system. We will be required to order more of our 

equipment and supplies utilizing the metric unit of measure. Also, our 

customers will gradually begin to order in metric quantities. Therefore, 

we must prepare to meet this challenge. Please review the following 

information and keep it available for easy reference. 

1. 

2. 

Linear measures will be: millimetres (mM) and centimeters 

(em.) instead of inches; metres (M) will replace feet and 

yards; kilometres will take the place of miles. Travel reports 

will reflect Km rather than miles. Speed will be recorded in 

km per hour rather than mph. 

Area is measured by cm2 replacing square inches: square 

feet and square yards will be replaced by m 2 • The unit of 

land measure which replaces the acre will be the hectare. 

3. Liquid supplies will be measured in millimetres (ml) and 

litres (L) (replacing the cup, pint, quart, gallon); and very 

large quantities will be measured in killolitres (kls). 

4. Weights will be determined in grammes, kilograms, and tonnes. 

5. A comfortabie room temperature will be 20 degrees Celisus 

(20° C) instead of 68°F. Also, scientific use of temperature 

will be shown in Kelvins. 

6. The following electrical terms will not change: voltes (v.), 

henries (H), webres (wb), farades (F), and Wats (Ws), etc. 

Training programs will be scheduled for all employees in the very near 

future. Let's go metric! 

~ ..... R O'OR VOCAnoNAL EDUCATOON 

Part 2. 

Proof the following advertisement. There are spelling, symbol, 

notation, and substitution errors. Type a final printable copy. 

FOR SALE 

Lovely old colonial home located on wooded ten-Hectare lot in 

Worthmoore school district, just 10 Km from the nearest shoping 

centre. The house has 225 sq. m. of floor space; a large 400 ems x 

730cm livingroom; formal 335 Cm x 430 centilitre dining room; three 

bedrooms; two full baths; finished basement; and seperate two-car 

garage. It has a 250 liter water heater, 400 Litre fuel oil tank, and 15 

ems of insulation in the attic. 

Special features: two wood burning fireplaces with 4 ms 3 of 

cut wood; wine cellar kept at constant 12° C; 4-stall stable with 500 

Kg of feed; 25 W of formal garden; 4 kiloliter of riding trails; 2 

hectare of woods; 11/2 hA fenced pasture; .75 km driveway bordered 

by a stone fense 1 3/8 m high. 

For information call Metric Realty at 466-487 4, Ext. 2. 

Exercise 16 
METRIC LAYOUTS 

You have been given the following information for a layout 

for typing. Your task is to prepare correct sizes of the items and 

plan an attractive layout for the page. (The figures shown below 

are the actual measurements you are to use; however, the drawings are scaled down to one third that size.) 

Letterhead Wmm l 

216mm 

90mm 102mm 

56mm 

Article 1 

126mm 

60mm Table 

102mm 

70mm 

30mm 

75mm 

61mm 

Picture 

Article 1 Article 2 

50mm 

116mm 

o:::3 C£NT£R ""' VOCATOONAC •oUCATO<>N Exercise 17 

METRIC SHORTHAND 

Shorthand will have to accommodate the new terms which the 

metric system will introduce. Some possible Gregg Shorthand brief 

forms for the metric terms may include the following; however, check 

with textbook publishing companies for the latest decisions. 

METRE LITRE GRAM 

L-- ------:> 

MlLLI ~ _______, 

CENTI 

7 ( 7 __.:;---, 

DECI 

/ 

L Y-- -A 

DEKA ~ ~ ~ 

HECTO 

:r S/ • ~ ~ 

KILO 

_......-, ~ ~ 

1. Take 30 metric terms in shorthand. Transcribe the terms 

from your notes, being careful to spell terms and use symbols 

correctly. 

2. Take dictation that contains metric terms and symbols. 

*Information and chart adapted from service project report "The Metric 

System and its Impact on Business Education" by Delta Pi Epsilon, Beta Mu 

Chapter, Central Connecticut State College, New Britain, Connecticut, 

November 1976. 

Exercise 18 

25 
26 

UNIT 5 

OBJECTIVE 

The student will recognize and use metric 

and Customary units interchangeably in ordering, selling, and using products and supplies in 

this occupation. 

• Given a Customary (or metric) measurement, find the metric (or Customary) 

equivalent on a conversion table. 

• 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Given a Customary unit, state the replacement unit. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

Assemble packages and containers of 

materials. 

Present or make available Information 

Sheet 10. 

Have students find approximate metricCustomary equivalents by using 

Exercise 19. 

4. Test performance by using Section D of 

. "Testing Metric Abilities." 

METRIC-CUSTOMARY EQUIVALENTS 

During the transition period there will be a need for finding equivalents between systems. 

Conversion tables list calculated equivalents between the two systems. When a close equivalent 

is needed, a conversion table can be used to find it. Follow these steps: 

1. Determine which conversion table is needed. 

2. Look up the known number in the appropriate column; if not listed, find numbers you 

can add together to make the total of the known number. 

3. Read the equivalent(s) from the next column. 

Below is a table of metric-Customary equivalents which tells you what the metric replacements for Customary units are.* This table can be used with Exercise 19, Pait 1. The 

symbol ~ means "nearly equal to." 

1 em ~ 0.39 inch 

1 m ~ 3.28 feet 

1 m ~ 1.09 yards 

1 km ~ 0.62 .mile 

1 cm2 ~ 0.16 sq in 

1 m 2 :::::: 10.8 sq ft 

1 m2 :::::: 1.2 sq yd 

1 hectare :::::: 2.5 acres 

1 cm3 ~ 0.06 cu in 

1 m3 :::::: 35.3 cu ft 

1 m3 :::::: 1.3 cu yd 

1 inch ~ 2.54 em 

1 foot ~ 0.305 m 

1 yard ~ 0.91 m 

1 mile ~ 1.61 km 

1 sq in :::::: 6 .5 cm2 

1 sq ft ~ 0.09 m2 

1 sq yd :::::: 0.8 m 2 

1 acre ~ 0.4 hectare 

1 cu in ~ 16.4 cm3 

1 cu ft :::::: 0.03 m3 

1 cu yd :::::: 0.8 m3 

1 ml ~ 0 .2 tsp 

1 ml ~ 0.07 tbsp 

1 I ~ 33.8 fl oz 

11 ~ 4.2 cups 

11 ~ 2.1 pts 

11 ~ 1.06 qt 

11 ~ 0.26 gal 

1 gram ~ 0.035 oz 

1 kg ~ 2.2 lb 

l metric ton ~ 2205 lb 

1 kPa ~ 0.145 psi 

1 tsp :::::: 5 ml 

1 tbsp :::::: 15 ml 

1 fl oz :::::: 29.6 ml 

1 cup :::::: 237 ml 

1 pt :::::: 0.47 I 

1 qt :::::: 0.95 I 

1 gal :::::: 3.79 I 

1 oz ::::::; 28.3 g 

1lb ::::::; 0.45 kg 

1 ton :::::: 907 .2 kg 

1 psi ~ 6.895 kPa 

*Adapted from Let's Measure Metric. A Teacher's Introduction to Metric Measurement. Division of Educational 

Redesign and Renewal, Ohio Department of Education, 65 S. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215, 197 5. 

Information Sheet 10 
ANY WAY YOU WANT IT 

1. One of your office tasks may be typing purchase orders, making 

changes from Customary units to metric units of measure (as some 

suppliers will sell metric quantities only). To develop your skill in 

determining approximate Customary equivalents, use the Table on 

Information Sheet 10 and give the approximate metric quantity 

(both number and units) for each of the following Customary 

quantities. 

a ) 

b) 

c ) 

d) 

e ) 

f ) 

g ) 

h) 

i ) 

j ) 

k) 

1 ) 

m) 

n) 

Customary Quantity 

1 gal. of typewriter cleaner 

5 oz. of correction fluid 

1/2 in. tape 

2 lbs. of hand cleaner 

25 ft. of string 

9 in. reference manual 

Two-gallon waste basket 

1 pt. of hand cleaner 

1/2 lb. of rubber bands 

30 in. x 60 in. desk 

1 fl. oz. liquid re-type 

5 lb. package 

6 in. pair of scissors 

3 mile distance 

Metric Quantity 

2. Use the following conversion tables to find the metric or 

Customary equivalent for these quantities. 

a ) 1mm = 

b) 45mm = 

c ) 25mm = 

d) 83mm = 

e ) 54mm= 

f ) 72mm = 

g ) llmm = 

h) 60mm = 

i ) 22mm = 

j ) 8mm = 

k) 24mm = 

1 ) 75mm = 

27 

MITLLUMETRESTOINCHES 

mm in. mm in. 

10 0.39 1 0.04 

20 0.79 2 0.08 

30 1.18 3 0.12 

40 1.57 4 0.16 

50 1.97 5 0.20 

60 2.36 6 0.24 

70 2.76 7 0.28 

80 3.15 8 0.31 

90 3.54 9 0.35 

INCHES TO MILLIMETRES 

in. mm in. mm 

10 254.0 1 25.4 

20 508.0 2 50.8 

30 762.0 3 76.2 

40 1016.0 4 101.6 

50 1270.0 5 127.0 

60 1524.0 6 152.4 

70 1778.0 7 177.8 

80 2032.0 8 203.2 

90 2286.0 9 228.6 

m) 15 in. 

n) 5 in. 

0) 2 in. 

p) 18 in. 

q) 35 in. 

r ) 12 in. 

s ) 7 in. 

t ) 25 in. 

u) 11 in. 

v ) 8 in. 

w) 6 in. 

X) 35 in. 

Exercise 19 
28 

SECTION A 

1. One kilogram is about the mass 

of a: 

[A) nickel 

(B) apple seed 

[C) basketball 

(D) Volkswagen "Beetle" 

2. A square metre is about the 

area of: 

[A) this sheet of paper 

[ B ) a card table top 

[ C ) a b edspread 

[ D ) a postage stamp 

3. When setting side margins, the 

unit of measure would be : 

(A] metre 

[B] millilitre 

(C] centimetre 

[D] kilometre 

4. When finding the mass oi a package, 

the unit of measure would be : 

[A] lux 

[B] litres 

[C] amperes 

[D] gram; 

5. The correct way to write twenty 

grams is: 

(A] 20 gms 

[B) 20 Gm. 

[C) 20 g. 

[D) 20 g 

6. The correct way to write twelve 

thousand millimetre& is: 

(A] 12,000 mm. 

.(B] 12.000 mm 

[C] 12 OOOmm 

[D) 12000 mm 

SECTION B 

7. A paper 216 millimetres wide 

also has a width of: 

[A] 21.6 metres 

(B] 21.6 centimetres 

[C] 0.216 metre 

[D] 2.16 centimetres 

8. The mass of a package is 1 000 

grams or: 

(A ] 1 kilogram 

[B] 100 kilogram; 

[C l 10 kilogram; 

(D] 0.1 kilogram 

SECTION C 

9. Which metric term is misspelled? 

[A] joule 

[B] pascels 

[C] ampere 

[D] lumens 

10. Which sentence is correctly typed? 

[A] The hand cleaner is 17 8 gs. 

[B] The mass of the package is 

28 g. 

[C] The paper is 216mm x28lmm. 

[D] The car traveled 80 k/hour. 

o:::JENTER FOR VOCAnoNA< .DUCAT""' 

11. Which metric term is misspelled? 

[A] webers 

[B] ampers 

[ C] metric ton 

[D] microgram 

12. The correct way to write kilometres 

per hour is: 

[A] k.p.h. 

[B] km/h 

[C] k/hr 

[D] kilometres/hour 

SECTIOND 

13. The replacement unit for fluid 

ounces is: 

(A] grams 

[B] litres 

[C] millilitres 

[ D ] milligrams 

14. The replacement unit for feet is: 

[A] litres 

[B] millilitres 

[ C ] millimetres 

[D] metres 

Use this conversion table to answer questions 15 and 16. 

mm in. mm 

100 3.94 10 

200 7.87 20 

300 11.81 30 

400 15.74 40 

500 19.68 50 

600 23.62 60 

700 27.56 70 

800 31.50 80 

900 35.43 90 

15. The equivalent for 150 mm is: 

[A] 15.0 in. 

[B] 5.0 in. 

[C] 1.50 in. 

[D] 5.91 in. 

in. 

0 .39 

0.79 

1.18 

1.57 

1.97 

2.36 

2 .76 

3.15 

3.54 

16. The equivalent for 210 mm is: 

[A] 20.0 in. 

[B] 8.26 in. 

(C] 8.0 in. 

[D] 20.26 in. 

TESTING METRIC ABILITIES 
ANSWERS TO EXERCISES AND TEST 

EXERCISES 1 THR U 6 

The answers depend on the items 

used for the activities. 

EXERCISE 7 

Currently accepted metric units of 

measurement for each question are 

shown in Table 1a. Standards in each 

occupation are being established 

now, so answers may vary. 

EXERCISE 8 

Part 1. 

a ) 900 F i ) 981lm 

b) 46T j ) 968 mm3 

c ) 9Wb k) 1m2 

d) 465m 1 ) 465 t 

e ) 900 kl m) 90 km/h 

f ) 649 Jlg n) 14 h 

g ) 41 MV 0) 76°C 

h) 28cm 

Part 2. 

a ) 97 5 cubic centimetres 

b ) 841 litres 

c ) 91 millimetres 

d ) 4 7 micrograms 

e ) 418 teslas 

f ) 46 newton-metres or 

46 newton metres 

g ) 78 webers per square 

metre 

h ) 14 cubic metres 

i ) 871 millilitres 

j ) 94 grams 

k ) 853 kilopascals 

1 ) 95 degrees Celsius 

m) 461 volts 

n ) 97 8 terametres 

o ) 81 kilolitres 

Part 3. 

a) 210 rnm 

b) 400 g 

c) 97 em 

d) 1.5 m 

e ) 51 

f ) 450 cm2 

g) 215 ml 

h) 1 kg 

i ) 50 millimetres 

j ) 10 880 cubic centimetres 

k ) 500 millilitres 

1 ) 22 degrees Celsius 

m) 0.5 gram 

n ) 30 centimetres 

o) 10 metres 

p) 4 litres 

EXERCISE 9 

a) 2.6 em 

b) 58.3 em 

c) 9.4 em 

d) 68.0 em 

e) 13.2 em 

f) 80.2 em 

g) 140.0 em 

h) 230.7 em 

EXERCISES 10 THRU 14 

Tables are reproduced in total. Answers are in parentheses. 

Exercise 10 

metre centimetre millimetre 

m em mm 

1 100 1 000 

2 200 (2 000) 

3 (300) (3 000) 

9 J900) (9 000) 

(5) (500) 5 000 

74 (7 400) (74 000) 

0.8 80 (800) 

0.6 (60) 600 

(0.025) 2.5 25 

o:3"~<R O'OR VOCATOON~ <DUCATOON 

(0.148) (14.8) 148 

(6.39) 639 (6 390) 

29 

Exercise 11 Exercise 14 

millilitres litres 

ml 1 

kilograms grams 

kg g 

3 000 3 

6 000 (6) 

(8 000) 8 

i14 000) (14) 

(23 000) 23 

300 0.3 

7 7 000 

11 (11 000) 

(25) 25 000 

0.4 (400) 

0 .63 (630) 

(0.175) 175 

700 (0.7) 

(900) 0.9 

250 (0.25) 

(470) 0.47 

275 (0.275) 

Exercise 12 

litres millilitres 

l ml 

8 8 000 

5 (5 000) 

46 ( 46 000) 

(32) 32 000 

0.4 (400) 

0.53 (530) 

(0.48) 480 

Exercise 13 

grams kilograms 

g kg 

4 000 4 

9 000 (9) 

23 000 (23) 

(8 000) 8 

300 (0.3) 

275 (0.275) 
3o ANSWERS TO EXERCISES AND TEST 

EXERCISE 15 

a) 5 m 

b ) 0.25 litre 

c) 20 mm 

d) 0.5 kg 

e) 50 ml 

f ) 1 500 mm 

g ) 2.5 kg 

h) 240 mm 

EXERCISE 16 

i ) 0.5 litre 

j ) 500 kg 

k) 1 000 em 

l ) 35 mm 

m) 20 000 g 

n) 250 mm 

o) 240 em 

The correct answers are underlined 

in the following copy. 

Part 1. 

1. Linear measures will be: millimetres (!!!.!!!)and centimetres 

(£!,!!)instead of inches; metres (m.) will replace feet and 

yards; kilometres will take the place of miles. Travel reports 

will reflect km rather than miles. Speed will be recorded in 

km/h rather than mph. 

2. Area is measured by cm2 replacing square inches; square 

feet and square yards will be replaced by m 2 . The unit of 

land measure which replaces the acre will be the hectare. 

3. Liquid supplies will be measured in millilitres (ml) and 

litres (l.), replacing the cup, pint, quart, gallon; and very 

large quantities will be measured in kilolitres (kl). 

4. Weights will be determined in grams, kilograms, and 

metrjc tons. 

5. A comfortable room temperature will be 20 degrees Celsius 

(20°C) instead of 68°F. Also, scientific use of temperature 

will be shown in kelvins. 

6. The following electrical terms will not change: volts (Y), 

henries(,!!), webers (Wb ), farads (F), and nlli (ID, etc. 

Part 2. 

Lovely old colonial home located on wooded ten-~ 

Jot in Worthmoore school district, just 10 km from the nearest 

2- shopping~- The house has 225..!!!.. of floor space; a large 

400 ~x 730 £!!?-living room; formal335 £!!1 x 430 £!!!.dining 

room; three bedrooms; two full baths; finished basement; and 

separate two-car garage. It has a 250 litre water heater, 400 

litre fuel oil tank, and 15 £!!!.Of insulation in the attic. 

Special features: 2 wood burning fireplaces with 4 m3 

of cut wood; wine cena;kept at constant 12°C; 4-stall stab'ie 

with 500 kg_ of feed; 25 m2 of formal garden; 4 kilometres of 

~ 

riding trails; 2 hectares of woods; 1.5 ha fenced pasture; 0. 7 5 km 

driveway bordered by a stone fence !d1.§. m high. 

~CENTER FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION 

EXERCISE 17 

Teacher to determine criteria for attractive layout. 

EXERCISE 18 

The answers depend on the terms dictated. 

EXERCISE 19 

Part 1. 

a ) 3.79 litres h) 0.47 litre 

b) 148 ml i ) 0.225 kg 

c ) 1.27cm j ) 76.2 em x 152.4 em 

d) 0.9 kg k) 29.6 ml 

e ) 7.625 m l ) 2.25 kg 

f ) 22.86 em m) 15.24 em 

g ) 7.58 litres n) 4.83 km 

Part 2. 

a ) 0.04 in. m) 381 mm 

b) 1.77 in. n) 127 mm 

c ) 0.99 in. 0) 50.8 mm 

d) 3.27 in. p) 45.72 mm 

e ) 2.13 in. q) 889mm 

f ) 2.84 in. r ) 304.8 mm 

g ) 0.43 in. s ) 177.8 mm 

h) 2.36 in. t ) 635mm 

i ) 0.87 in. u) 279.4 mm 

j ) 0.31 in. v ) 203.2 mm 

k) 0.95 in. w) 152.4 mm 

l ) 2.96 in. X) 914.4 mm 

TESTING :METRIC ABILITIES 

1. C 9. B 

2. B 10. B 

3. C 11. B 

4. D 12. B 

5. D 13. C 

6. D 14. D 

7. B 15. D 

8. A 16. B 

"(::{ U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE,; 1976-757-069/6244 Region No. 5-11 
Tools and Devices List 

SUGGESTED METRIC TOOLS AND DEVICES 

NEEDED TO COMPLETE MEASUREMENT TASKS 

IN EXERCISES 1 THROUGH 5 

LINEAR 

Metre Sticks 

Rules, 30 em 

Measuring Tapes, 150 em 

*Height Measure 

*Metre Tape, 10m 

*Trundle Wheel 

*Area Measuring Grid 

VOLUME/CAPACITY 

*Nesting Measures, set of 5, 

50 ml - 1 000 ml 

Economy Beaker, set of 6, 

50 ml - 1 000 ml 

Metric Spoon, set of 5, 

1 ml- 25 ml 

Dry Measure, set of 3, 

50, 125, 250 ml 

Plastic Litre Box 

Centimetre Cubes 

(* Optional) 

MASS 

Bathroom Scale 

*Kilogram Scale 

*Platform Spring Scale 

5 kg Capacity 

10 kg Capacity 

Balance Scale with 8-piece 

mass set 

*Spring Scale, 6 kg Capacity 

TEMPERATURE 

Celsius Thermometer 

FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION 

The Oh•o State Un•ver\tty • 1960 Kenny Road • Columb4.a Ohto 43210