Metric Measure of Weight

Measurement of the heaviness of a person or thing is called weight. The standard unit of weight is kilogram. We commonly use grams and kilograms to measure weight. Milligram, centigram, decigram are smaller unit used to measure lighter things, gram is the basic unit of weight, whereas units like decagram, hectogram and kilogram are used to measure heavier things. All these units are related to each other.

When we move from one metric unit to another to the right in the above metric chart, the value of metric unit becomes ten times smaller i.e. one tenth and when we move from one metric unit to another to the left in the metric chart, the value of metric unit becomes ten times bigger.

We consider gram as the basic unit of weight.

1 Decagram (dag) = 10 times gram

1 Hectogram (hg) = 100 times gram

1 Kilogram (kg) = 1000 times gram

1 Decigram (dg) = 1/10 of gram

1 centigram (cg) = 1/100 of gram

1 milligram (mg) = 1/1000 of gram

Conversion of measures from higher to lower units

We always multiply when we change higher unit to lower unit.

Example 1: Change 9kg into grams

1kg =1000g

Therefore, 9 x 1000g = 9000g

Example 2: Change 5g into centigrams

1g = 100cg

Therefore, 5 x 100cg = 500cg

Conversion of measures from lower to higher units

We always divide when we change lower unit to higher unit.

Example 1: Change 4000g to kilogram

1000g = 1kg

Therefore, 4000 ÷ 1000 = 4kg

Addition and Subtraction

Step1: Write the units on the top.

Step2: Write the numbers in proper place below the units. Write zero in empty place.

Example 1: Add 41kg 36g and 24kg 3g

Example 2: Subtract 10kg 39g from 14kg 39g

Multiplication involving units of measurement

Example 1: Multiply 44 g 11cg by 5

Division involving units of measurement

Example 1: Divide 84g 40cg by 4