ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Metric system

The metric system is a way of measuring things. It uses special units of measurement that are easy to understand and use. The system was invented in France over 200 years ago, and it's now used all over the world.

Instead of using complicated units like inches and feet, the metric system uses simple units like meters and centimeters. A meter is about the distance from the ground to your waist, and a centimeter is about the width of your little fingernail. These units are easy to visualize and remember.

The metric system also has special prefixes that make the units larger or smaller. For example, if you want to measure a distance that's longer than a meter, you can use kilometers, which are 1,000 times longer than a meter. If you want to measure something that's smaller than a centimeter, you can use millimeters, which are 1/10th of a centimeter.

One of the best things about the metric system is that it's easy to use for calculations. Since each unit is based on multiples of 10, it's easy to convert between units just by moving the decimal point. For example, if you have a distance of 300 centimeters and you want to know how many meters that is, you just move the decimal point two places to the left to get 3 meters.

Overall, the metric system is a simple and easy way to measure things. It's used all over the world and makes calculations a breeze.