Centi-means 100; 100 centimeters make a meter. We've got you covered with our map collection.Need a reference? Note: 1 kilogram of water has a volume of 1 liter. Metric Conversion > Metric Converter > Weight Converter. The concept of using consistent classical (In the early days, multipliers that were positive powers of ten were given Greek-derived prefixes such as When applying prefixes to derived units of area and volume that are expressed in terms of units of length squared or cubed, the square and cube operators are applied to the unit of length including the prefix, as illustrated below.Prefixes are not usually used to indicate multiples of a second greater than 1; the non-SI units of Each variant of the metric system has a degree of coherence—the derived units are directly related to the base units without the need for intermediate conversion factors.hold without the introduction of unit conversion factors. The centimetre–gram–second system of units (CGS) was the first coherent metric system, having been developed in the 1860s and promoted by Maxwell and Thomson. Many derived units were already in use before and during the time the metric system evolved, because they represented convenient abstractions of whatever base units were defined for the system, especially in the sciences. The basic unit of weight in the metric system is the gram (g). But it was difficult to do arithmetic with things like In the metric system, multiples and submultiples of units follow a decimal pattern.A common set of decimal-based prefixes that have the effect of multiplication or division by an integer power of ten can be applied to units that are themselves too large or too small for practical use. Even more commonly used, however, is the kilogram (kg): 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams. It grew in number of units, but the system retained a uniform structure. The metric system is based on 10s. The historical development of these systems culminated in the definition of the International System of Units, under the oversight of an international standards body. For example, 10 decimeters make a meter (39.37 inches). Some customary systems of weights and measures had duodecimal ratios, which meant quantities were conveniently divisible by 2, 3, 4, and 6. Metric system, international decimal system of weights and measures, based on the meter for length and the kilogram for mass, that was adopted in France in 1795 and is now used officially in almost all countries. To measure smaller or larger quantities, we use units derived from the metric units Our editors update and regularly refine this enormous body of information to bring you reliable information.Infoplease is part of the FEN Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students.FEN Learning is part of Sandbox Networks, a digital learning company that operates education services and products for the 21st century. This factor appeared awkwardly in many equations of physics dealing with the dimensionality of electromagnetism and sometimes other things. Units of time: As in the English system, the basic metric unit of time is a second (s). For example, the Although the metric system has changed and developed since its inception, its basic concepts have hardly changed.