Virginia SOL Math / Grade 5 / Measurement & Geometry

5.MG.1

Metric Length, Mass & Liquid Volume

What you'll learn

  • Compare and estimate metric units of length, mass, and liquid volume
  • Convert between metric units within a single system
  • Solve problems using metric measurements

Words to know

Meter —
the base metric unit of length
Gram —
the base metric unit of mass
Liter —
the base metric unit of liquid volume
Kilo- —
a prefix meaning 1,000
Milli- —
a prefix meaning one thousandth

Why it matters Science and everyday measuring use metric units, so converting between them helps us compare sizes and amounts correctly.

Worked examples

Model ItI do

Convert 3 meters to centimeters.

There are 100 centimeters in 1 meter. Multiply: 3 x 100 = 300, so 3 meters equals 300 centimeters.

Try It TogetherWe do

Convert 2,000 milliliters to liters.

There are 1,000 milliliters in 1 liter. Divide: 2,000 divided by 1,000 = 2, so 2,000 milliliters equals 2 liters.

Now YouYou do

Convert 5 kilograms to grams.

Recall that 1 kilogram is 1,000 grams and multiply. Check your answer in the back of this chapter.

Practice

Mastered 0 of 11

Warm-up

Ease in with the basics.

  1. 1.How many millimeters are in 1 centimeter?

  2. 2.Convert 2 meters to centimeters.

  3. 3.Which is heavier: 1 kilogram or 1 gram?

On Level

The core Quick Check from the book.

  1. 1.How many centimeters are in 1 meter?

  2. 2.Convert 4 liters to milliliters.

  3. 3.Convert 3,000 grams to kilograms.

  4. 4.Which is longer: 1 kilometer or 1 meter?

  5. 5.Convert 250 centimeters to meters.

Challenge

Stretch your thinking.

  1. 1.Convert 3.5 kilometers to meters.

  2. 2.A bottle holds 1.5 liters. How many milliliters is that?

  3. 3.A recipe needs 1,250 grams of flour. How many kilograms is that?