Converting units of measurement

About this lesson

Integrated Math III › Modeling with geometry

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Converting units of measurement

Modeling with geometry. cross sections, solids of rotation, scaling, density

Warm-up

Three quick questions from earlier lessons.

Discover

A table is 2 meters long. About how many centimeters is that?

  1. 200
  2. 0.02

Key idea

Smaller units: more of them.

To convert, use the rate between the units (1 ft = 12 in, 1 yd = 3 ft, 1 m = 100 cm, 1 kg = 1000 g). Converting to a smaller unit, multiply; to a larger unit, divide.

Worked example

Convert 54 inches to feet.

54÷12=4.554 \div 12 = 4.5 ft
Feet are larger: divide.

Your turn, guided

Your turn: 3 kg in grams.

30003000
× 1000.

Practice ★

  1. How many inches are in 5 feet? (1 foot = 12 inches)
  2. How many inches are in 2 feet? (1 foot = 12 inches)
  1. How many meters are 600 centimeters? (1 m = 100 cm)

Watch out!

Practice ★★

  1. A rope is 11 yards and 2 feet long. How long is it in feet? (1 yard = 3 feet)
  2. A rope is 10 yards and 2 feet long. How long is it in feet? (1 yard = 3 feet)

Exit ticket

Three questions to check you have got it.

  1. How many inches are in 5 feet? (1 foot = 12 inches)
  2. How many inches are in 2 feet? (1 foot = 12 inches)
  3. How many inches are in 7 feet? (1 foot = 12 inches)

Summary card

Converting units

To a smaller unit: multiply; to a larger unit: divide.

Watch out: check that the answer makes sense in size.

End of the lesson

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