Sonography Metric System and Math - Video Lesson

Welcome back everybody. This lesson explores the basics of the metric system of measurement and the math associated with metric units and decimals. Whether you're measuring organ size, calculating Doppler velocities, or adjusting equipment settings, even a small numerical error can translate into a significant clinical mistake. That's why a strong understanding of the metric system and decimal notation is essential. First, let's review the basics of the metric measurement system. The metric system is a base ten measurement system. This means that every unit changes by a factor of ten as you move from one prefix to another. For instance, let's look at the base unit for length or distance, the meter. Adding the prefix centi in front gives us a centimeter or one hundredth of a meter. Add milli and we get millimeter or one thousandth of a meter and so on. This system applies across all of the common measurements