The Metric System

The metric system measures length in metres, mass in grams and capacity in litres, with prefixes such as kilo, centi and milli showing the size of each unit. This NSW Year 7 maths subtopic consolidates primary-school skills and has no Stage 4 outcome of its own, but every later measurement topic depends on it.

You will convert units by multiplying when you change to a smaller unit and dividing when you change to a larger one, take two steps when needed, choose a sensible unit and change to one unit before comparing or adding. Think rope lengths, flour for a recipe or a rainwater tank in kilolitres. It is part of Year 7 Area and Volume.