Laboratory Mathematics Week 2 Assignment – Metric Conversion Chart USE THE BUMPING METHOD TO FIND THE EQUIVALENTS 1g = 10 dg 1dg = 10 cg 1cg = 1000 mg 1g = 100 eg 1dg = 100 mg 1cg = 1g = 1000 mg 1dg = 100000 ug 1cg = 1g = 1000000000 ng 1dg = 10000000000 pg mg ug ng pg 1g = 1000000000 pg 1mg = 1000 ug 1mg = 1000000 ng 1mg = 1000000000 pg 1ug = 1000 ng 1ng = 1000 pg 1ug = 1000000 pg 1m = 10 dm 1d = 10 cm 1cm = 10 mm 1m = 1000 mm 1dm = 1000 mm 1cm = 10000 um 1m = 1000000 um 1dm = 10000000 nm 1cm = 1000000000 pm 1m = 1000000000000 nm 1dm = 1000000000000 pm 1m = 1000000000000 pm 1mm = 1000 um 1um = 1000 nm 1nm = 1000 pm 1mm = 10000000 nm 1um = 1000 pm 1mm = 1000 pm FUND – Lab Math Week 2 Assignment Metric Conversion Chart prepared by M. Trepanier 2/2014 Page 1 of 2
Laboratory Mathematics Week 2 Assignment – Metric Conversion Chart USE THE BUMPING METHOD TO FIND THE EQUIVALENTS 1g = 10 dg 1dg = 10 cg 1cg = 1000 mg 1g = 100 eg 1dg = 100 mg 1cg = 1g = 1000 mg 1dg = 100000 ug 1cg = 1g = 1000000000 ng 1dg = 10000000000 pg mg ug ng pg 1g = 1000000000 pg 1mg = 1000 ug 1mg = 1000000 ng 1mg = 1000000000 pg 1ug = 1000 ng 1ng = 1000 pg 1ug = 1000000 pg 1m = 10 dm 1d = 10 cm 1cm = 10 mm 1m = 1000 mm 1dm = 1000 mm 1cm = 10000 um 1m = 1000000 um 1dm = 10000000 nm 1cm = 1000000000 pm 1m = 1000000000000 nm 1dm = 1000000000000 pm 1m = 1000000000000 pm 1mm = 1000 um 1um = 1000 nm 1nm = 1000 pm 1mm = 10000000 nm 1um = 1000 pm 1mm = 1000 pm FUND – Lab Math Week 2 Assignment Metric Conversion Chart prepared by M. Trepanier 2/2014 Page 1 of 2
Correct Answer (Metric Conversion Chart – Summary with Correct Equivalents):
Using the bumping method (each bump or step between metric units represents a factor of 10), here is the corrected version of key metric conversions commonly used in laboratory mathematics:
Mass Conversions:
- 1 gram (g) = 10 decigrams (dg)
- 1 gram (g) = 100 centigrams (cg)
- 1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg)
- 1 gram (g) = 1,000,000 micrograms (µg)
- 1 gram (g) = 1,000,000,000 nanograms (ng)
- 1 gram (g) = 1,000,000,000,000 picograms (pg)
- 1 milligram (mg) = 1,000 micrograms (µg)
- 1 microgram (µg) = 1,000 nanograms (ng)
- 1 nanogram (ng) = 1,000 picograms (pg)
Length Conversions:
- 1 meter (m) = 10 decimeters (dm)
- 1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
- 1 meter (m) = 1,000 millimeters (mm)
- 1 meter (m) = 1,000,000 micrometers (µm)
- 1 meter (m) = 1,000,000,000 nanometers (nm)
- 1 meter (m) = 1,000,000,000,000 picometers (pm)
- 1 millimeter (mm) = 1,000 micrometers (µm)
- 1 micrometer (µm) = 1,000 nanometers (nm)
- 1 nanometer (nm) = 1,000 picometers (pm)
Explanation:
In laboratory science, precise metric conversions are essential for accuracy in measurements. The bumping method provides a simple way to convert between metric units by recognizing that each unit change represents a power of ten. For instance, converting from grams to milligrams involves three decimal “bumps” to the right (g → dg → cg → mg), indicating a multiplication by 1,000.
The metric system is designed around base-10, which means every step up or down is by a factor of 10. This makes it easier to convert by simply moving the decimal point. For example, 1 gram = 1,000 milligrams. If you had 5 grams and needed to express this in milligrams, you would multiply 5 by 1,000 to get 5,000 mg.
Similarly, in length, 1 meter = 1,000 millimeters, and further conversions go down to micrometers, nanometers, and picometers. These are crucial in fields like biology or chemistry where minute measurements matter.
The bumping method avoids calculator errors and builds conceptual understanding. A simple rule of thumb: move the decimal right when converting from a larger unit to a smaller one (e.g., g → mg), and move it left when going from a smaller to a larger unit (e.g., mg → g).
Overall, mastering these conversions ensures accuracy in lab procedures and supports scientific validity. Always double-check conversions against a reliable chart or use dimensional analysis to confirm.
