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Metric units of mass review (g and kg)

Review the size of grams and kilograms and how to convert between the two.  Then, try some practice problems.

Metric units of mass

Mass is used to measure the weight of an object. For example, you are measuring the mass of your body when you step on to a scale.
In the metric system of measurement, the most common units of mass are the gram and kilogram.

How much is a gram?

A small paperclip has a mass of about 1 gram:
A paperclip.

How much is a kilogram?

A wooden baseball bat has a mass of about 1 kilogram:
A baseball bat.
Want to learn more about metric units of mass? Check out this video.

Practice set 1: Estimating mass

Problem 1A
Identify the most reasonable unit to measure the mass of a pack of gum.
Choose 1 answer:

Want to try more problems like this? Check out this exercise.

Converting kilograms to grams

1 kilogram=1000 grams
To convert kilograms to grams we multiply the number of kilograms by 1,000.
Example:
8 kilograms=8×1000=8000 grams

Converting grams to kilograms

1 gram=11000 kilogram
To convert grams to kilograms we divide the number of grams by 1000.
Example:
9 g=91000=9÷1000=0.009 kg
Want to learn more about converting between metric units of mass? Check out this video.

Practice set 2: Converting units of mass

Problem 2A
Convert.
7 kilograms =
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • an exact decimal, like 0.75
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3/5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7/4
  • a mixed number, like 1 3/4
grams

Want to try more problems like this? Check out these exercises:
Convert larger units to smaller units
Converting between units

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