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      Securing understanding of place value in metric units

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can convert statements about measure.

      Key learning points

      1. In order to compare metric measures, conversion may be necessary.
      2. Metric measures can be converted by using place value.
      3. Real-world examples can help us see if the conversions have the correct magnitude.

      Keywords

      • Metric - Metric units are based around the standard units of metre, gram and litre.

      • Prefix - A prefix is a group of letters attached to the front of a root (word) to make a new word, for example tricycle.

      • Centi - Centi placed before a unit means (1/100)

      • Milli - Milli placed before a unit means (1/1000)

      • Kilo - Kilo placed before a unit means 1000 times.

      Common misconception

      Kilo gram is 1000 bigger than a gram, so 40 g = 1000 x 40 kg

      Kilo gram is 1000 bigger than a gram so 1 kg = 1000 g.

      Teacher tip

      Think about logic of answers when converting. Key examples like a door being 2 m or a bag of sugar 1 kg = 1000 g etc. can help with sense checks.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following are not units of capacity?

      litre
      centilitre
      Correct answer: kilogram
      millilitre
      Correct answer: metre

      Q2.
      Match the appropriate unit to each object.

      Correct Answer:The length of a ruler is 15,cm

      cm

      Correct Answer:The mass of cookie is 15,grams

      grams

      Correct Answer:The capacity of a sink is 15,litres

      litres

      Correct Answer:The length of a lorry is 15,metres

      metres

      Q3.
      When measuring length, mass and capacity; the standard metric units are metre, gram and __________.

      Correct Answer: litre, litres

      Q4.
      Instead of saying 1000 grams, you could say __________.

      Correct answer: 1 kg
      10 kg
      $${1}\over{10}$$ kg
      $${1}\over{100}$$ kg

      Q5.
      What is the place value of the 7 in 172.5 kg?

      ones
      Correct answer: tens
      hundreds
      tenths
      hundredths

      Q6.
      Using place value and the meaning of the prefix, which of these is equivalent to 4 kilometres?

      0.004 m
      $${4}\over{1000}$$ m
      400 m
      Correct answer: 4000 m

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Complete the sentence: "one kilogram is equal to ________"

      100 grams
      Correct answer: 1000 grams
      $$1\over100$$ gram
      $$1\over1000$$ gram

      Q2.
      10 litres is equal to __________ millilitres?

      Correct Answer: 10 000, 10000, ten thousand

      Q3.
      Starting with the smallest, put these distances in order of size.

      1 - 1 mm
      2 - 1 cm
      3 - 1 m
      4 - 10 m
      5 - 0.1 km
      6 - 1 km

      Q4.
      Which of these is heavier than 1.05 kg?

      1006 g
      106 g
      10.6 g
      Correct answer: 1060 g
      Correct answer: 1600 g

      Q5.
      Match the distances with their correct conversions.

      Correct Answer:35 m,3500 cm

      3500 cm

      Correct Answer:35 km,35 000 m

      35 000 m

      Correct Answer:35 cm,350 mm

      350 mm

      Correct Answer:0.35 km,350 m

      350 m

      Q6.
      The distance from Land's End (in Cornwall) to John O'Groats (in Scotland) is 970 km. Which of these are equivalent distances?

      9700 m
      97 000 m
      Correct answer: 970 000 m
      Correct answer: 97 000 000 cm
      970 000 000 cm

      To help you plan your 7 maths lesson on: Securing understanding of place value in metric units, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...