Converting Measurement Units

Converting Within the Metric System

The metric system is based on powers of 10:

Larger → Smaller: Multiply Smaller → Larger: Divide

| Conversion | Formula | |-----------|---------| | km → m | $\times 1,000$ | | m → cm | $\times 100$ | | cm → mm | $\times 10$ | | kg → g | $\times 1,000$ | | L → mL | $\times 1,000$ |

Examples:

• $3.5$ km $= 3.5 \times 1,000 = 3,500$ m
• $250$ cm $= 250 \div 100 = 2.5$ m

Converting Within Customary Units

| Conversion | Formula | |-----------|---------| | ft → in | $\times 12$ | | yd → ft | $\times 3$ | | lb → oz | $\times 16$ | | gal → qt | $\times 4$ | | qt → pt | $\times 2$ | | pt → cups | $\times 2$ |

Examples:

• $4$ ft $= 4 \times 12 = 48$ in
• $3$ gal $= 3 \times 4 = 12$ qt

Multi-Step Conversions

$5$ yards to inches: $5$ yd $\times 3 = 15$ ft $\times 12 = 180$ in

Using Tables

| Hours | Minutes | |-------|---------| | 1 | 60 | | 2 | 120 | | 3 | 180 | | 4 | 240 |

Pattern: Multiply hours by 60

Remember: When converting to a smaller unit, you get a bigger number. When converting to a bigger unit, you get a smaller number.