Choosing appropriate units of measurementChoosing appropriate units

Before measuring something, you need to know what unit to use. You can do this by estimating its approximate length, mass or volume.

Part ofMathsMeasurement

Choosing appropriate units

The commonly used metric units of length include:

  • kilometres (\({km}\)) : 1km = 1,000m
  • metres (\({m}\)) : 1m = 100cm
  • centimetres (\({cm}\)) : 1cm = 10mm
  • millimetres (\({mm}\)) : 1,000mm = 1m

The commonly used metric units of mass include:

  • gram (\({g}\)) : 1,000g = 1kg
  • kilogram (\({kg}\)) : 1kg = 1,000g
  • tonne (\({t}\)) : 1t = 1,000kg
  • milligram (\({mg}\)) : 1,000mg = 1g

The commonly used metric units of capacity include:

  • litre (\({l}\)) : 1l = 1,000ml
  • millilitre (\({ml}\)) : 1,000ml = 1l
  • cubic centimetre (\({cc}\)) : 1cc = 1ml