Metric System

METRIC SYSTEM

  • Metric system is otherwise is known as decimal system. It has been internationally accepted as the official system.
  • In the metric system, the weights and measures are expressed in multiples of ten and therefore convenient to remember. Metre, Gram and Litre are the basic units of length, weight and volume respectively.
  • Divisions and multiples of these units are given by the following prefixes for all the units.

Divisions

  • Atto- = 10-18 times the basic unit (a)
  • Femto- = 10-15 times the basic unit (f)
  • Pico- = 10-12 times the basic unit (p)
  • Nano- = 10-9 times the basic unit (N)
  • Micro- = 10-6 times the basic unit (ยต)
  • Milli = 10-3 times the basic unit (m)
  • Centi = 10-2 times the basic unit (c)
  • Deci = 10-1 times the basic unit (d)

Multiples

  • Deka = 10 times the basic unit (da)
  • Hekto = 102 times the basic unit (H)
  • Kilo = 103 times the basic unit (k)
  • Myria = 104 times the basic unit
  • Mega = 106 times the basic unit (M)
  • Giga = 109 times the basic unit (G)
  • Tera = 1012 times the basic unit (T)
  • Peta = 1015 times the basic unit (P)
  • Exa = 1018 times the basic unit (E)
Last modified: Thursday, 26 April 2012, 7:00 AM