Neft Teacher · Learn It

Unit 3 · Standard 6.AT.3c

Convert Measurement Units

Lesson 3-10 · Learn It — how the math works

Why we're learning this

You're building a brand-new arcade cabinet! The blueprints use feet, but the parts catalog lists measurements in inches. The wiring instructions use yards, and the weight limits are in pounds — but the shipping labels use ounces. You need to convert between units to make sure everything fits and ships correctly. The blueprint says the cabinet is 6 feet tall, and the parts catalog lists a side panel that is 70 inches tall. Does the panel fit?

✱ Math Workbench

Learn It

How do I change one measurement unit into another?

A unit is a standard amount used to measure, like a foot or an inch. A conversion factor is a ratio that relates two units, like 1 foot = 12 inches.

Picture itSee what the math looks like before you read about it

Evelyn is visiting family in Canada. The highway sign she sees says 100 kilometers per hour, and she is used to speed limits posted in miles per hour.
Where you see this in real lifeEvelyn is visiting family in Canada. The highway sign she sees says 100 kilometers per hour, and she is used to speed limits posted in miles per hour.

Watch me solve itI do — read one step at a time

The problem looks like this
Double number line: 1 foot is 12 inches, so 5 feet is 60 inches.Feet15Inches1260
  1. The cabinet is 5 feet tall. I want to know how many inches that is.
  2. My is 1 foot = 12 inches.1 foot = 12 inches
  3. Inches are smaller than feet, so I multiply:5 × 12 = 60
  4. So 5 feet = 60 inches.5 feet = 60 inches

Watch out — mistakes students make here

  • Start with: 5 yards = ? feet. Then convert to inches.
  • Convert 5 yards to feet, then feet to inches.
  • Remember: 1 yard = 3 feet, and 1 foot = 12 inches.

Try it with meWe do — you answer first, then check

Same steps, new numbers.

  1. A wire is 4 yards long. The factor is 1 yard = 3 feet.
  2. Feet are smaller than yards, so do we multiply or divide?
    Check this step
    (Multiply)
  3. What is 4 × 3 feet?4 × 3 feet
    Check this step
    (12 feet)
  4. Now a metric example: a power cable is 3 meters long. The factor is 1 meter = 100 centimeters.
  5. Centimeters are smaller than meters, so we multiply:3 × 100 = 300 centimeters

On your ownYou do — solve this one by yourself

Before you start, remember:

  • In the table, use the to fill in each converted measurement.
  • Decide each time: are you going to a smaller (multiply) or a bigger unit (divide)?

Solve: An arcade cabinet has parts measured in different . Convert each to the target unit.

PartMeasurementTarget UnitConverted
Power cord2 yardsinches
Top panel54 inchesfeet
Weight96 ouncespounds
Side rail5 feetinches

Stuck? Open one hint at a time.

Hint 1

Check each row's direction: to a smaller unit (inches) multiply; to a bigger unit (feet, pounds) divide.

Hint 2

Power cord needs two steps: yards → feet (× 3), then feet → inches (× 12). The others are one step each.

Hint 3

Start the power cord: 2 yd × 3 = 6 ft, then 6 × 12 for inches. For the top panel, divide 54 by 12.

Check my answer
✅ Answers:
  • Power cord → Converted: 72 inches
  • Top panel → Converted: 4.5 feet
  • Weight → Converted: 6 pounds
  • Side rail → Converted: 60 inches
Read each row's direction before you operate. Going to a smaller unit multiplies: the power cord is 2 × 3 = 6 ft and then 6 × 12 = 72 inches, and the side rail is 5 × 12 = 60 inches. Going to a bigger unit divides: the top panel is 54 ÷ 12 = 4.5 feet and the weight is 96 ÷ 16 = 6 pounds.

Turn & TalkSay it out loud with a partner

The cabinet blueprint uses feet but the parts catalog uses inches. Why do you have to convert, and which is the bigger , a foot or an inch?

Try starting with:

  • I have to convert because the blueprint uses ___ but the catalog uses ___.Tengo que convertir porque el plano usa ___ pero el catálogo usa ___.
  • One ___ is bigger than one ___.Un/Una ___ es más grande que un/una ___.
Use these wordsunitconversion factorcustomary unitsequivalent