Final answer:
The metric units of mass from smallest to largest are milligrams (mg), decigrams (dg), grams (g), and hectograms (hg). Milligrams are tiny units primarily used by scientists, while grams are commonly used in everyday situations. Hectograms are larger than grams and are less commonly used.
Step-by-step explanation:
To order the units from smallest to largest: milligrams (mg), decigrams (dg), grams (g), and hectograms (hg), we must understand the relationship between each of these metric units of mass. One gram is the base unit against which these other units are compared, with:
- 1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg),
- 1 gram (g) = 10 decigrams (dg), and
- 1 gram (g) = 0.01 hectograms (hg).
Here is the correct order from smallest to largest based on these relationships:
- Milligrams (mg)
- Decigrams (dg)
- Grams (g)
- Hectograms (hg)
For context, milligrams are very tiny units that are not used often in everyday situations but can be used by scientists to measure very small masses. Grams are commonly used in everyday situations such as measuring ingredients for baking. Hectograms, which are much larger than grams, are used less commonly.