Conversions & Unit Prefixes

measurement conversions

P

peta 10¹⁵

T

tetra 10¹²

G

giga 10⁹

M

mega 10⁶

k

kilo 10³

h

hecto 10²

da

deca 10¹

base unit

10⁰

d

deci 10^-1

c

centi 10^-2

m

milli 10^-3

µ

micro 10^-6

n

nano 10^-9

p

pico 10^-12

f

femto 10^-15

1 dm³ =

1 L

1 cm³ =

1 mL

1 cc =

1 mL = 1 cm³

steps of conversions

1. write in scientific notation

2. use conversion factor: find difference of exponents

3. add scientific notations

250000 cm to km

1. 2.5 ×10⁵

2. difference between cm and km is 5, smaller to bigger, less of second units, divide, negative exponent

3. 2.5 ×10⁵ ×10^-5

4. 2.5 ×10⁰ km

5. 2.5 km

positive exponent of conversion factor

big to small, more of second units, multiply

negative exponent of conversion factor

small to big, less of second units, divide

2D conversions

conversion factor = 10² = (10¹)² so whatever the conversion factor is, you must also square it → (10^x)²

2D conversions

Square the conversion factor: (10x)2

3D conversions

Cube the conversion factor: (10x)3

3D conversions

conversion factor = 10³ = (10¹)³ so whatever the conversion factor is, you must also cube it → (10^x)³