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 this Occupation

- Metric Units For Small Engine Repair

- Trying Out Metric Units

- Repairing With Metrics

12

12

12

12

13

14

15

Unit 3

- Objective

- Suggested Teaching Sequence

- Metric-Metric Equivalents

- Changing Units at Work

16

16

16

16

18

Unit 4

- Objective

- Suggested Teaching Sequence

- Selecting and Using Metric Instruments, Tools and Devices

- Which Tools for the Job?

- Measuring Up in Small Engine Repair

19

19

19

19

20

20

Unit 5

- Objective

- Suggested Teaching Sequence

- Metric-Customary Equivalents

- Conversion Tables

- Any Way You Want It

21

21

21

21

22

23

Testing Metric Abilities 24

Answers to Exercises and Test 25

Tools and Devices List

References


1. 

2. 

3. 

UNIT 1 

SUGGESTED TEACHING 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. 

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 

L Recognize and use the 

unit and its symbol for: 

2. Select, use, and read the 

appropriate measuring 

instruments for: 

3. State or show a 

physical reference for: · 

4. Estimate within 25% 

of the actual measure 

5. 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 

(mf) 

the area of 

a given surface 

EXERCISES 

Volume or Capacity 

(pp. 7. 8) 

cubic centi· 

metre (cm 3 ) 

cubic metre 

(m3) 

litre (I) 

millilitre (ml) 

capacity of 

containers 

measurements 

on graduated 

volume measur· 

ing devices 

Mass Temperature 

(pp. 9 · 10) (p. 11) 

gram (g) degree Celsius 

(C) 

kilogram (kg) 

the mass of objects the temperature of 

in grams and kilo· the air or a liquid 

grams 

a kilogram scale A Celsius thermometer 

and a gram scale 

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

5. 

6. 

7. 

Spaces, not commas, are used to separate large numbers 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 llo) k 

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

kilometre km 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 ' f) d 

0 .01 = 10 - 2 centi (se n'ti) c 

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

hectare ha Football field including sidelines 

and end zones 0 .000 001 = 10- 6 micro (m-i'kro) J.1. 

Volume and millilitre ml 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 Collegiate Dictionary 

metric ton 

(1 000 kilolll"arns) 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 lVlETRE IS! 

~·NTER FOO VOCAT>ONAL •OUCATOON 

3. Choose a partner to stand 

at your side. Move apart 

so that yo\1 can put o·ne 

end of a metre stick on 

your partner's shoulder 

and the other end on 

your shoulder. Look at 

the space between you. 

THAT IS THE WIDTH OF A METRE! 

3 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN :lvlETRES 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Now you will improve your ability to estimate in metres. 

Remember where the iength 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) 

Measurement 

(m) 

How Close 

Were You? 

Exercise 1 

(continued on next page) 
4 

II. THE CENTIMETRE (em) 

There are 100 c-Pntimetres in onP metre. If therP arP 4 metrPs 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 CENTilVIETRE 

B. 

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 

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 

(em) 

Measurement 

(em) 

How Close 

Were You? 

III. THE MILLIMETRE (J:Pm) 

There are 10 millimetres in one centim~>trP. \Vhen a measurement is 

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 1m. 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE SIZE OF A l\·1ILLIMETRE 

Using a ruler marked in millimetres, measure: 

1. Thickness of a paper clip wire. mm 

2. Thickness of your fingernail. mm 

3. Width of your fingernail. ____ mm 

4 . Diameter (width)of a coin. 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. 

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. 

Estimate 

(mm) 

How Close 

Measurement Were You? 

(mm) 

Exercise 1 
AREA MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Square Centimetre, Square Metre 

WHEN YOU DESCRIBE THE AREA OF SOMETHING, YOU ARE 

SAYING HOW l\1ANY SQUARES OF A GIVEN SIZE ITT AKES 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 f~nd the area in square centimetres. 

____ em x em = cm2 • How 

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

~ENnR roR VOCATOONAL EOUCATOON 

5 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTil\1ATE 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 sq~ares 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 CENTIMETRE ( cm3 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE CUBIC CENTIMETRE 

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

height, and width in centimetres. 

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 bo.x 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.? 

3 C<NTER OOA YOCATK>NAL •oUCATOON 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTil'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 (l) 

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 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE L~ LITRES 

You are now ready to develop your ability to estimate in 

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

2.5 litres. To write one-half litre, you write 0 .5 I, 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 

(1) (l) 

1. Medium-size 

freezer container. 

2. Large freezer 

container. 

3 .. Small freezer 

container. 

4. Bottle or jug. 

How Close 

Were You? 

III. THE MILLILITRE (ml) 

There are 1 000 millilitres in one litre. 1 000 ml = 1 litre. Half 

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

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A l\1ILLILITRE 

1. Examine a centimetre cube. Anything which holds 

1 em 3 holds 1 ml. 

2. Fill a 1 millilitre 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 l\1ILLILITRE IS! 

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

pile on the sheet of paper. 

THAT IS 5 l\llLLILITRES, OR ONE TEASPOON! 

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

pile on the paper. 

THAT IS 15 MILLILITRES, OR ONE TABLESPOON! 

~·NT<R 'OR VOCATOONAL <DOCATOON 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN MILLILITRES 

1. 

2. 

3. 

You are now ready to estimate in millilitres. 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 lVlETRES 

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 lise 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 ""'VOCATOONAL •oUCATOON 

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 l\1EASUREl\1ENT 

column. Determine how close your estimate is: 

Bag of rice. 

Bag of nails. 

Large purse or 

briefcase. 

Another person. 

A few books. 

Estimate 

(kg) 

Measurement 

(kg) 

How Close 

Were You? 

Exercise 4 

(continued on next page) 

9 
10 

II. THE GRA.M (g) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A GRAl\1 

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 arid 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 0 F TWO G RAlVIS! 

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

THAT IS THE MASS OF FIVE GRAMS! 

a3CENT<R 'OR VOCATOONAC <DUCATOON 

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 tc) 

Degree Celsius tC) 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 TEMPERATURE IS 37 DEGREES 

CELSIUS (37°C). 

A FEVER IS 39°C. 

A VERY HIGH FEVER IS 40°C. 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTil\1ATE 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 measurements are. 

1. Mix some hot and 

cold water in a 

container. Dip your 

finger into the 

water. 

2. Pour out some of 

the water. Add some 

hot water. Dip your 

finger quickly into 

the water. 

3. Outdoor temperature. 

4. Sunny window sill. 

5. 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 and use the metric 

tel"l'Il';, units, and symbols used in this occupation. 

• 

• 

Given a metric unit, state its use in this 

occupation. 

Given a measurement task in this occupation, select the appropriate metric unit 

and measurement tool. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Assemble metric measurement tools (rules, 

tapes, scales, thermometers, etc.) and 

objects related to this occupation. 

2. Discuss with students how to read the 

tools. 

3. Present and have students discuss 

Information Sheet 2 and Table 2. 

4. Have students learn occupationallyrelated metric measurements by completing Exercises 6 and 7. 

5. Test performance by using Section A of 

"Testing Metric Abilities." 

METRICS IN THIS OCCUPATION 

Changeover to the metric system is under way. Large corporations are already using 

metric measurement to compete in the world market. The metric system has been used in 

various par:ts of industrial and scientific communities for years. Legislation, passed in 

1975, authorizes an orderly transition to use of the metric system. As businesses and 

industries make this metric changeover, employees will need to use metric measurement 

in job-related tasks. 

Table 2 lists those metric terms which are most commonly used in this occupation. 

These terms are replacing the measurement units used currently. What kinds of jobrelated tasks use measurement? Think of the many different kinds of measurements you 

now make and use Table 2 to discuss the metric terms which replace them. See if you 

can add to the list of uses beside each metric term . 

Information Sheet 2 
13 

Metric Units for Small Engine Repair 

Quantity Unit Symbol Use 

Length millimetre mm cam shaft, spark gap, spark plug length, stroke and bore 

tolerances, length and diameter of fasteners 

centimetre em hose lengths 

Volume/Capacity millilitre ml oil 

litre I fuel tank 

cubic centimetre cm3 cylinder displacement 

Mass gram g 

grease and heavy lubricants, counter-balance mass kilogram kg 

Temperature degree Celsius oc engine operating temperature 

Pressure kilo pascal kPa pressure differential for fuel pump, compression ratings 

Power kilowatt kW power of an engine 

Flow rates millilitres per second ml/s 

litres per second 1/s 

output rating of fuel pumps 

Table 2 
14 

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. Measuring cup (metric) 

correct met~ic symbols. The more you practice, the easier it will be. 

17. Milk container 

Estimate Actual 

18. Piston displacement 

Length 19. Oil can 1. Palm width 

2. Hand span 20. Small box or package 

3. Your height 21. Toolbox 

~ 

4. Journal measurements 22. Gas' can 

5. Thickness of a nickel 

Mass 

6. Thickness of rings 23. Textbook 

7. Float length 24. Nickel 

8. Length of a lawn mower blade 25. Yourself 

9. Spark plug 26. Full fuel tank 

Area 27. A litre of grease 

10. Desk top 

11. Classroom floor 28. Quart of oil 

12. Workbench Temperature 

29. Room 

13. Sheet of paper Engine operating temperature 30. range 

14. Parking lot 

31. Cold tap water 

Volume/Capacity 32. Hot tap water 15. Small bottle o::3 CE,.:,.<R roR VOCATOON~ <OUCATOON Exercise 6 
REPAIRING WITH METRICS 15 

It is important to know what metric measurement to use. Show 

what measurement to use in the following situations. 12: Length of starter rope 

13. Amount of oil required for 

1. Volume of gas tank 

an oil-filter type of air cleaner 

2. Capacity of cylinder 14. Size of lawn mower wheels 

3. Diameter of piston head 15. Length of chain saw chain 

4 . Length of a valve stem 

5. Mass of grease for a gear box 

6. Volume of oil for crank case 

7. Capacity of a radiator 

8. Dimensions of a small 2 or 

4 cycle gas engine: 

a. Length Dl I I l if 

b. Width ..) 

Height c. ~ ~ 

Ul 1IJ d. Mass 

~ [J 9. Motor specifications: '- _,) 

a. Cylinder bore 

~ b. Stroke of a piston - ,...... - c. Crankshaft length 

f---

d. Crankshaft diameter 

10. Length of fuel line 

11. Spark plug gap 

Exercise 7 
16 

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 

(8 - 14), 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." 

METRIC-METRIC EQUIVALENTS 

Centimetres and Millimetres 

( 1

m,1m,1m'l""l''''l'll'l''''l''''l''lll'll T ,n1n,,1m,1 

1 2 3 4 5 6 (

jlllljlllljl II ljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljllll j lllljlllljlllljlll 

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 

34 mm = 3 em + 4 mm 

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 8 
Metres, Centimetres, and Millimetres 

There are 100 centimetres in one metre. Thus, 

2m = 2x100cm = 200cm, 

3m = 3 x 100 em = 300 em, 

8 m = 8 x 100 em = 800 em, 

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

There are 1 000 millimetres in cine metre, so 

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

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

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

24 m = 24 x 1 000 mm = 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-!8 

639 

Exercise 9 

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, 

4 000 ml is the same as 4 litres, 

12 000 ml is the same as 12 litres. 

17 

Since there are 1 000 millilitres in each litre, one way to change millilitres 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 = 1 000 litres = 2 litres. 

And, as a final example, 

28 000 

28 000 ml = 1 OOO litres = 28 litres. 

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

worked the same way, 

500 ml = 1 ~gg 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). 

Information Sheet 5 

Now you try some. Complete the following chart. 

millilitres Iitres 

(ml) (1) 

3 000 3 

6 000 

8 

1-t 000 

23 

JOO O.J 

700 

0.9 

250 

0.-!7 

275 

Exercise 10 
18 

Litres to Millilitres 

\Vhat 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 mi. 

Now you try some. Complete the following chart. 

litres rnillili tres 

I rnl 

8 8 000 

5 

46 

32 000 

0.4 

0.53 

480 

Grams to Kilograms 

Information Sheet 6 

Exercise 11 

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 

9000 

23 000 

8 

300 

~ 275 C£NT£R OOR VOCAnoNAL EOUCATOON 

Kilograms to Grams 

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

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

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

0.75kg = 0.75x1000g = 750g. 

Information Sheet 8 

Complete the following chart. 

k.il ograrns grams 

kg g 

7 7 000 

11 

25 000 

0.4 

0.63 

175 Exercise 13 

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 rope is------------- m 

b ) 250 ml of solution is 1 

c ) 5 em diameter pipe is mm 

d ) 2 500 g of grease is kg 

e ) 120 mm of fuel line is em 

f l 0.25 litre of solvent is ml 

g ) 2 000 kg of sawdust is t 

h )0.5 litre of additive is ml 

i ) 2 m of hose is mm 

j ) 500 g of hand cleaner is kg 

k )500 ml of oil is 1 

1 )5 em bolt is~-------------- mm 

m)0.5 em tubing is _____________ mm 

n ) 6 em gasket is mm 

Exercise 14 
UNIT 4 

OBJECTIVE 

The student will recognize and use 

instruments, tools, and devices for measurement tasks in this occupation. 

• Given metric and Customary tools, 

instruments, or devices, differentiate 

between metric and Customary. 

• Given a measurement task, select 

and use an appropriate tool, instrument or device. 

• Given a metric measurement task, 

judge the metric quantity within 20% 

and measure within 2% accuracy. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Assemble metric and Customary measuring tools and devices (rules, scales, ° C 

thermometer, drill bits, wrenches, micrometer, vernier calipers, feeler gages) 

and display in separate groups at learning 

stations. 

2. Have students examine metric tools and 

instruments for distinguishing characteristics and compare them with Customary 

tools and instruments. 

3. Have students verbally describe characteristics. 

4. Present or make available Information 

Sheet 9. 

5. Mix metric and Customary tools or 

equipment at learning station. Give 

students Exercises 15 and 16. 

6. Test performance by using Section C 

of "Testing Metric Abilities." 

CENTER O'OR VOCATOONAL EDUCATOON 

SELECTING AND USING 

METRIC INSTRUMENTS , TOOLS AND DEVICES 

Selecting an improper tool or misreading a scale can result in an improper sales form, 

damaged materials, or injury to self or fellow workers. For example, putting 207 pounds 

per square inch of pressure (psi) in a truck tire designed for 207 kilopascals (about 30 psi) 

could cause a fatal accident. Here are some suggestions: 

1. Find out in advance whether Customary or metric units, tools, instruments, or products are needed for a given task. 

2. Examine the tool or instrument before using it. 

3. The metric system is a decimal system. Look for units marked off in whole numbers, 

tens or tenths, hundreds or hundredths. 

4. Look for metric symbols on the tools or gages such as m, mm, kg, g, kPa, etc. 

5. Look for decimal fractions (0.25) or decimal mixed fractions (2.50) rather than common fractions ( 3/8) on drill bits, feeler gages, etc. 

6. Some products may have a special metric symbol such as a block M to show they are 

metric. 

7. Don't force bolts, wrenches, or other devices which are not fitting properly. 

8. Practice selecting and using tools, instruments, and devices. 

Information Sheet 9 

19 
20 

WHICH TOOLS FOR THE JOB? 

Practice and prepare to demonstrate your ability to identify, 

select, and use metric-scaled tools and instruments for the tasks given 

below. You should be able to use the measurement tools to the appropriate precision of the tool, instrument, or task. 

Select and demonstrate or describe use of tools, instruments, or 

devices to: 

1. Fill gear box with 1.5 kg of grease. 

2. Adjust fuel mixture on carburetor. 

3. Describe the difference between a customary and a metric 

tubing cutter. 

4. Determine the pressure on a fuel pump. 

5. Change spark plug(s) in small engine. 

6. Measure the compression of a two-cycle engine. 

7 _ Measure a cam shaft and select the proper bearings. 

8. Set ignition points on small engine. 

9. Determine the power of an engine. 

10. Pull the head of an engine and replace head gasket. 

11. Replace the fuel line. 

~ENUR FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATOON 

Exercise 15 

MEASURING UP IN SMALL ENGINE REPAIR 

For the tasks below, estimate the metric measurement to 

within 20% of actual measurement, and verify the estimation 

by measuring to within 2% of actual measurement. 

Estimate Verify 

1. Volume of a storage bin. 

2. Temperature of this room. 

3. Amount of oil and gasoline 

for three-litre engine. 

4. Work space or bench large 

enough to repair engine. 

5. Torque for cylinder head. 

6. Find largest available entry 

into classroom. 

7. The fuel line for a 13.4 kW 

tractor is 45 em. From 

several cut pieces of tubing, 

select a piece for the line 

with the least waste. 

8. Order grease retainer ring 

and seal. 

9. Select V -belt replacement 

10. Set valve clearance. 

11. Set spark-plug gap. 

12. Select spark plug with 

proper reach. 

Exercise 16 
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. 

• Given a Customary unit, state thereplacement unit. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Assemble packages and containers of 

materials. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Present or make available Information 

Sheet 10 and Table 3. 

Have students find approximate metricCustomary equivalents by using 

Exercise 17. 

Test performance by using Section D of 

"Testing Metric Abilities." 

o:3C<NT<R H>R VOCAnONAC <OUCAnON 

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. 

21 

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. 

Table 3 on the next page gives an example of a metric-Customary conversion table which 

you can use for practice in finding approximate equivalents. Table 3 can be used with Exercise 

17, Part 2 and Part 3. 

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 17, Part 1 and Part 3. 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 m 2 =::: 1.2 sq yd 

1 hectare =::: 2.5 acres 

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 m 2 

1 sq yd::::: 0.8 m 2 

1 acre ::::: 0.4 hectare 

1 cu in::::: 16.4 cm3 

1 ml::::: 0.2 tsp 

1 ml =::: 0.07 tbsp 

1 l ::::: 33.8 fl oz 

11::::: 4 .2 cups 

11 =::: 2.1 pts 

1 1 ::::: 1.06 qt 

11::::: 0.26 gal 

1 gram ::::: 0.035 oz 

1 kg::::: 2.2 lb 

1 tsp ::::: 5 ml 

1 tbsp =::: 15 ml 

1 fl oz ::::: 29.6 ml 

1 cup:::: 237 ml 

1 pt :::: 0.47 l 

1 qt :::: 0.95 l 

1gal=:::3.79l 

1 oz:::: 28.3 g 

1 cm 1lb::::: 0.45 kg 3 ::::: 0.06 cu in 

1 m3 =::: 35.3 cu ft 

1 m 3 ::::: 1.3 cu yd 

1 cu ft =::: 0.03 m 3 

1 cu yd::::: 0.8 m3 

1 metric ton ::::: 2205 lb 

1 kPa =::: 0.145 psi 

1 ton :::: 907.2 kg 

1 psi :::: 6.895 kPa 

* Ada~ted from Let's Measure llfetric. A Teacher's Introduction to Metric 1\feasurement. Division of Educational 

Redesign and Renewal, Ohio Department of Education, 65 S. Front Street, Columbus, OH -!3215. 1975. 

Information Sheet 10 
22 

CONVERSION TABLES 

MILLIMETRES TO INCHES 

mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches 

100 3.93 10 0.39 1 0.04 0.1 0.004 

200 7.87 20 0.79 2 0.08 0.2 0.008 

300 11.81 30 1.18 3 0.12 0.3 0.012 

400 15.74 40 1.57 4 0.16 0.4 0.016 

500 19.68 50 1.97 5 0.20 0.5 0.020 

600 23.62 60 2.36 6 0.24 0.6 0.024 

700 27.56 70 2.76 7 0.28 0.7 0.028 

800 31.50 80 3.15 8 0.31 0.8 0.031 

900 35.43 90 3.54 9 0.35 0.9 0.035 

1 000 mm or 1 metre = 39.37 inches 

INCHES TO MILLIMETRES 

Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm 

1 25.4 0.1 2.54 .01 0.25 .001 0.03 

2 50.8 0.2 5.08 .02 0.51 .002 0.05 

3 76.2 0.3 7.62 .03 0.76 .003 0.08 

4 101.6 0.4 10.16 .04 1.02 .004 0.10 

5 127.0 0.5 12.70 .05 1.27 .005 0.13 

6 152.4 0.6 15.24 .06 1.52 .006 0.15 

7 177.8 0.7 17.78 .07 1.78 .007 0.18 

8 203.2 0.8 20.32 .08 2.03 .008 0.20 

9 228.6 0.9 22.86 .09 2.29 .009 0.23 

10 inches = 254 mm 

12 inches or 1 feet = 304.8 mm or 30.48 em 

~ENTER FCO VOCATOONAL EDUCATOON Table 3 
ANY WAY YOU WANT IT 

1. Your are working in a repair shop. With the change to metric 

measurement some of the things you order, sell or use are 

marked only in metric units. You will need to be familiar with 

appropriate Customary equivalents in order to communicate 

with customers and suppliers who use Customary units. To 

develop your skill use the Table on Information Sheet 10 and 

give the approximate metric quantity (both number and unit) 

for each of the following Customary quantities. 

Customary Quantity 

a } 2 lbs. of grease 

b ) 4 qts. of cleaning solution 

c ) 1 gal. of kerosene 

d) 10 qts. of motor oil 

e ) 18 in. fuel line 

f ) two-gallon can 

g ) 30 ft. of air hose 

h) 4 fl. oz. of additive 

) two-mile distance 

j ) 2 in. bolt 

k) 2 fl. oz. of silicone spray 

1 ) 1lb. of hand cleaner 

m) 1 gallon of solvent 

n ) 1 ft. length of gasket material 

0 ) 1/4 in. drill bit 

Metric Quantity 

2. Use the conversion tables from Table 3 to convert the following: 

a) 0.009 in. 

b) 10.2 mm 

12 in. 

18 in. 

mm 

mm 

23 

e ) 275mm in. h) 20 in. mm 

f ) 0.028 in. mm ) 150mm in. 

g ) 125mm in. ) 1000 mm= in. 

3. Complete the Requisition Form using the items listed. Convert 

the Customary quantities to metric before filling out the form. 

Complete all the information (Date, For, Job No., etc.). 

Requisition one of each of the following: 

a ) 1 lb. of gear box grease 

b ) 4 ft. starter rope 

c ) 1 qt. gasoline tank 

d ) 3 ft. of 1/8 in. I.D. rubber fuel line 

e ) 6 fl. oz. can of engine spray paint 

REQUISITION 

Date --------

For 

Job No .. ________ _ Date Wanted 

Deliver to --------------------

QTY UNIT 

Requested by 

Approved by 

ITEM 

Exercise 17 
24 

SECfiON A 

1. One kilogram is about the mass 

of a: 

(A] nickel 

I B I apple seed 

[ C ] basketball 

[D J Volkswagen "Beetle" 

2. A square metre is about the 

area of: 

[A] this sheet of paper 

[B] a card table top 

[ C] a bedspread 

[D J a postage stamp 

3. The displacement of an engine 

would be measured in: 

[A] cubic centimetres 

[B] millimetres 

[ C ] kilograms 

[D] square metres 

4. The mass of gear-box grease is 

measured in: 

[A ] mill iii tres 

[ B] cubic metres 

[ C] centimetres 

[D] kilograms 

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 millimetres is: 

[A] 12.000 mm. 

[B] 12.000 mm 

[C] 12 OOOmm 

[D] 12 000 mm 

SECTIONB 

7. A blade 60 centimetres long 

also has a length of: 

[A ] 600 millimetres 

[B] 0.6 millimetre 

[ C ] 6 millimetres 

[ D ] 6 000 millimetres 

8. A hose 3 metres long is the 

same as: 

[A] .30 millimetre 

(B] 300 millimetres 

[ C] 30 millimetres 

[D] 3 000 millimetres 

SECTION C 

9. For measuring millilitres you 

would use a: 

[A ] container 

(B ] pressure gage 

[ C ] feeler gage or rule 

[D] scale 

10. For measuring kilopascals you 

would use a: 

[A] pressure gage 

[B] rule or feeler gage 

[C] scale 

[D] container 

11. Estimate the length of the line

segment below: 

[A] 23 grams 

[ B] 6 centimetres 

[ C] 40 millimetres 

[ D ] 14 pascals 

12. Estimate the length of the line 

segment below: 

~ 

(A] 10 millimetres 

[ B] 4 centimetres 

[ C ] 4 pascals 

[ D ] 2 3 milligrams 

SECTION D 

13. The metric unit for liquid measure 

which replaces the fluid ounce is: 

(A] hectare 

[B] gram 

(C] litre 

[D] millilitre 

14. The metric unit for mass which 

replaces ounces is: 

[A] 

[B] 

[C] 

(D] 

kilowatts 

grams 

kilo pascals 

metres 

Use this conversion table to answer questions 15 and 16. 

mm in. in. 

10 0.39 1 

20 0.79 2 

30 1.18 3 

40 1.57 4 

50 1.97 5 

60 2.36 6 

70 2.76 7 

80 3.15 8 

90 3.54 9 

100 3.94 10 

15. The equivalent of 110 mm is: 

[A] 4.33 in. 

[B] 27.5 in. 

[C] 277in. 

(D] 2.75 in. 

16. The equivalent of 18 in. is: 

[A] 1800 mm 

[B] 457.2 mm 

[C] 180 rnm 

[D] 254.7 mm 

mm 

25.4 

50.8 

76.2 

101.6 

127.0 

152.4 

177.8 

203.2 

228.6 

254.0 

o::::3'·"""· '""VOCATIONAL EOUCATOON TESTING METRIC ABILITIES 
ANSWERS TO EXERCISES AND TEST 

EXERCISES 1 THRU 6 

The answers depend on the items 

used for the activities. 

EXERCISE 7 

Currently accepted metric units of 

measurement for each question are 

shovm in Table 2. Standards in each 

occupation are being established 

now. so answers may vary. 

EXERCISE 8 

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 9 THRU 13 

Tables are reproduced in total. An- swers are in parentheses. 

Exercise 9 

metre centimetre millimetre 

m em mm 

1 100 1 000 

2 200 (2 000) 

3 (300) (3 000) 

9 (900) (9 0001 

(5) (500) 5 000 

7-1 (7 400) (74 0001 

0.8 80 {8001 

0.6 (60) 600 

. (0.025) 2.5 25 

(0.1-!8) (14.8) 148 

(6.39) 639 { 6 390) 

~·NT·R >OR VOCATOONAC <OUCATOON 

Exercise 10 

millilitres 

ml 

3 000 

6 000 

(8 000) 

( 14 000) 

. (23 000) 

300 

700 

(900) 

250 

( 470) 

275 

Exercise 11 

litres 

l 

8 

5 

46 

(32) 

0.4 

0.53 

(0.48) 

Exerdse 12 

grams 

g 

4 000 

9 000 

I 23 000 

{8 000 ) 

300 

275 

litres 

l 

3 

(6) 

8 

(14) 

23 

0.3 

(0. 7) 

0.9 

(0.25) 

0.47 

(0. 275 ) 

millilitres 

ml 

8 000 

(5 000) 

(46 000) 

32 000 

(400) 

(530) 

480 

kilograms 

kg 

4 

(9) 

(23) 

8 

(0.3 ) 

(0.275) 

Exercise 13 

kilograms grams 

kg g 

7 7 000 

11 (11 000) 

(25) 25 000 

0.4 (400) 

0.63 (630) 

(0.175) I 175 

Exercise 14 

a ) 5m h ) 500 ml 

b) 0.25 litre i ) 2 000 mm 

c ) 50mm j ) 0.5 kg 

d) 2.5 kg k) 0.5 litre 

e ) 12 em l ) 50mm 

f ) 250 ml m) 5mm 

g ) 2t n) 60mm 

EXERCISES 15 AND 16 

The answers depend on the 

items used for the activities. 

EXERCISE 17 

Part 1. 

a ) 0.9 kg i ) 3.22 km 

b ) 3.8 litres j ) 5.08 em 

c ) 3.79 litres k) 59.2 ml 

d) 9.5 litres l ) 0.45 kg 

e ) 45.72 em m) 3.79 litres 

f ) 7.58 litres n) 0.305 m 

g ) 9.15m 0) 0.635 em 

h) 118.4 ml 

Part 2. 

a) 0.23 mm 

b ) 0.398 in. 

c) 304.8 mm 

d) 457.2 mm 

e ) 10.83 in. 

f ) 0.71 mm 

g ) 4.92 in. 

h) 508 mm 

) 5.90 in. 

j ) 39.37 in. 

Part 3. 

a ) 0.45 kg 

b) 1.22 m 

c ) 0.95 litre 

d) 0.915 m of 

0.318 em 

e) 177.6 ml 

25 

TESTING METRIC ABILITIES 

1. c 9. A 

2. B 10. A 

3. A 11. B 

4. D 12. A 

5. D 13. D 

6. D 14. B 

7. A 15. A 

8. D 16. B 

. ·. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1976·757-069/6246 Region No. 5- 1 1