In the metric system, each of the common kinds of measure -- length, weight, capacity -- has one basic unit of measure. To measure smaller amounts, divide the basic unit into parts of ten, a hundred, or a thousand, and so on. To measure larger amounts, multiply the basic unit by ten, a hundred, or a thousand, and so on. Length: 1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters (m) 1 centimeter (cm) = .01 meter (m) 1 millimeter (mm) = .001 meter (m) Weight: 1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams (g) 1 milligram (mg) = .001 gram (g) Capacity: 1 milliliter = .001 liter (l)
