Are there any tricks/advice for simple conversions?

Question

I sometimes have trouble with the simple things in Chem...This is one of those times...I am having trouble doing conversions...Is there someone who can help me? I am good at math, but that doesn't help if I can't figure out what numbers to put in...

I am talking lik, etc...

mg to g

kg to mg

mm to m

oz to lbs

kg to g

Maybe there is a way to explain it to me that it makes sense...Sorry to be so stupid..I have been out of this area for 19 years...

CJ

Answer 1

Knowing prefixes and how to use them using dimensional analysis

Answer 2

Use the unit conversion method to change one unit to another. For example, assume you want to change 50 mg to g:

1000 mg = 1 g (or 1 mg = 0.001 mg)

Use the conversion factor to make the units cancel and come out with the units you desire.

50 mg x (1 g / 1000 mg ) = 0.050 g

or

50 mg x (0.001 g / 1 mg) = 0.050 g

Another tip is when you convert one prefix to a different prefix, convert to the base unit first, then convert to the new prefix. For example, suppose you want to convert 0.250 kg to mg. Convert the kg to g first, then convert g to mg.

0.250 kg x (1000 g / 1 kg) = 250. g

250 g x (1000 mg / 1 g) = 250,000 mg