Essential Unit Conversions
Power and mass conversions are straightforward once you remember the basic rule. To convert watts to kilowatts, simply divide by 1000 - so 2000 watts becomes 2 kilowatts. The same applies to grams and kilograms: divide by 1000 to go from grams to kilograms.
Length conversions follow a clear pattern based on the metric system. Moving from smaller to larger units means dividing, whilst going from larger to smaller means multiplying. For example, millimetres to centimetres requires dividing by 10, but millimetres to metres needs dividing by 1000.
The metric system hierarchy works like a ladder: kilometres, metres, centimetres, millimetres, and even smaller units like micrometres (µm) and nanometres (nm). Each step up or down involves multiplying or dividing by 10, 100, or 1000 depending on how many steps you're taking.
Time conversions are different from metric units. Converting between seconds and minutes always involves 60 - multiply by 60 to go from minutes to seconds, or divide by 60 to go the other way. Area (cm²) and volume (cm³ or litres) conversions require more careful attention to the numbers involved.
Quick tip: Always write down which direction you're converting first - this helps you decide whether to multiply or divide!