1. Apr 11, 2004

### claire kt

Please can someone explain to me how you convert:
10 micrograms per decilitre
into
miiligrams per litre

I think I had some notes on it somewhere but they have gone awol !

2. Apr 11, 2004

Easiest way for multiple units (something per something) is using "fenceposts", as some teachers call them, which basically look like this...

$$\frac{10 micrograms}{1 deciliter} \times \frac{10 deciliters}{1 liter} \times \frac{1000 milligrams}{1000000 micrograms}$$

NOTE: I don't remember exactly what micrograms are...it's either 1 g x 10^6 or 1g x 10^9...I think it's 6, 9 is nano.

But basically what you have there is one giant fraction. The first fraction in the multiplication is your original given information, and all the other fractions within are equal to 1.

So, that fraction simplifies to $$\frac {1 milligram}{10 liters}$$

So, 10 micrograms per decilitre = 1/10 milligrams per liter.

Someone may wanna just double check on what exactly a microgram is in relationship to a gram...it's been so long since I've had to do that, I can't remember for sure. If I am wrong, that "fencepost" concept should be a pretty easy one to understand and remember for future use.

Last edited: Apr 11, 2004
3. Apr 11, 2004

### NSX

Use the Factor Label Method.

What is awol?

4. Apr 12, 2004

### claire kt

You are right micro is -3 and nano -9.

NSX AWOL = absent with out leave. Half my notes have just completely vanished !

5. Apr 12, 2004

### HallsofIvy

"micro" is 10-6 (one millionth)

6. Apr 12, 2004

### Muzza

Yes, and 10^-3 is milli...