The metric system of measurement was developed in 1795.  A modern form of the metric system, called the International System, or SI, was adopted in 1960.  SI provides standard measurements that all scientists around the world can understand.

The metric system is convenient because unit sizes vary by multiples of 10.  When changing from smaller units to larger units, divide by a multiple of 10.  When changing from larger units to smaller, multiply by a multiple of 10.

Prefixes are used to name units.  Some common metric units are kilo, centi, milli, and deci.

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