# Math Help - [SOLVED] I cant seem to understand my Metric System Chart

1. ## [SOLVED] I cant seem to understand my Metric System Chart

I was given a chart of the metric system, but I cant seem to understand how the conversions work. Lets say I want to convert micro into milli. For micro, the chart says 10^-6, and 0.000001. For milli, it says 10^-3 and 0.001.

The way I tried to do this by typing in 0.000001 x 10^-3, not sure if that's what you're supposed to do when converting it, and my TI-83 came back with an answer of 1E-9, which I dont understand at all. I think there was a way to make the TI-83 show all the numbers, but I cant remember how.

I'm still need to how the metric system works, and i'm trying to figure out how to convert 8.9mL into microliters, and 1/2 Quart into milliliters.

I'm hoping that someone here will know how to explain this so that I can understand it. Looking at the chart just seems to confuse me. The whole conversion process is pretty much what I dont understand. And how I can get it to work with my calculator.

2. Originally Posted by fb280
I was given a chart of the metric system, but I cant seem to understand how the conversions work. Lets say I want to convert micro into milli. For micro, the chart says 10^-6, and 0.000001. For milli, it says 10^-3 and 0.001.

The way I tried to do this by typing in 0.000001 x 10^-3, not sure if that's what you're supposed to do when converting it, and my TI-83 came back with an answer of 1E-9, which I dont understand at all.
Hi fb280,

To the TI-83, 1E-9 means $1 \times 10^{-9}$.

Originally Posted by fb280
I think there was a way to make the TI-83 show all the numbers, but I cant remember how.
I don't think there is.

Originally Posted by fb280
I'm still need to how the metric system works, and i'm trying to figure out how to convert 8.9mL into microliters, and 1/2 Quart into milliliters.

I'm hoping that someone here will know how to explain this so that I can understand it. Looking at the chart just seems to confuse me. The whole conversion process is pretty much what I dont understand. And how I can get it to work with my calculator.
Here's how I would approach your conversion. I would use a set of ratio products to arrive at my desired result. Like this:

Convert 8.9 milliliters( $mL$) to microliters( $\mu L$)

$\frac{8.9 mL}{1}\cdot \frac{1000 \mu L}{1 mL}=8900 \mu L$

Convert .5 quarts to milliliters.

$\frac{.5 q}{1}\cdot\frac{.946352 L}{1 q}\cdot \frac{1000 mL}{1L} \approx 473.176 mL$.

Notice that in the products, all the units of measure cancel out except for the one you are trying to convert to. Neat, huh?

I had to look up the number of liters in a quart (rounded off).

3. I think I might know how to convert it now after looking through the chart more. But I wasnt sure until I read your reply, so thanks for the help. There is one thing i'd like to make sure of though.

If the ti-83 comes out with a number like 8E7, would I just move the decimal place to the right by eight places?

4. Originally Posted by fb280
I think I might know how to convert it now after looking through the chart more. But I wasnt sure until I read your reply, so thanks for the help. There is one thing i'd like to make sure of though.

If the ti-83 comes out with a number like 8E7, would I just move the decimal place to the right by eight places?
No. 8E7 means 8 times ten to the 7th power. $8.0 \times 10^7$.

8E7 means 80,000,000.

5. hmm.. wouldnt it always bring up the same answer either way?