Measurement
Lesson 2.06
After completing this lesson, you will be able to say:
• I can define the standard units of measure for given quantities.
• I can use different methods of ratio reasoning to convert units.
• I can solve problems that involve the conversion of units.
Customary Units
System of measurements commonly used in the United States. There are four categories of measurement: Length, Weight, Liquid Capacity and Time
Conversions
Here is a handy conversion chart to show you the measurement units to help solve mixed unit situations:
It is recommended that you save a copy of this or print it so that you have this readily available for future use. You can find it on page 2 of lesson 2.06
Conversions
Convert 5 miles to yards
Identify the conversion from the table → 1 mile = 1,760 yards.
Set up the equivalent ratio table
Miles 1 5
Yards 1, 760 ?
Multiplicative Reasoning
One way to calculate the equivalent ratio is to determine what was multiplied by 1 mile to get 5 miles. It looks like 1 × 5. So multiply the amount of yards by 5, as well, to get 1,760 × 5 = 8,800.
Once you multiply 1,760 by 5, you calculate that for every 5 miles, there are 8,800 yards
Additive Reasoning
The other way is to use additive reasoning, by adding the same ratio relationship you start with to itself. Keep adding until you get up to 5 miles to see how many yards this will be.
Whether you use the additive or multiplicative reasoning, for every 5 miles there are 8,800 yards.
Conversions
A recipe calls for 6 cups of milk. If you have 4 pints of milk, how many cups will you have left over?
According to the conversion table, 1 pint = 2 cups
Pints 1 4
Cups 2 ?
X 4
X 4
Pints 1 4
Cups 2 8
If you have 4 pints of milk that equals 8 cups and your recipe calls for you to use only 6 cups of milk, then you would have 2 cups of milk left over.
Try It!
At the local aquarium, the average weight of the whale shark, the aquarium’s largest fish, is 25 tons. The average weight of the dolphin is 330 pounds. If there is 1 whale shark and 2 dolphins in one of the fish tanks, how much do they weigh all together in pounds?
Check your work
At the local aquarium, the average weight of the whale shark, the aquarium’s largest fish, is 25 tons. The average weight of the dolphin is 330 pounds. If there is 1 whale shark and 2 dolphins in one of the fish tanks, how much do they weigh all together in pounds?
Now that you completed this lesson, you should be able to say:
• I can define the standard units of measure for given quantities.
• I can use different methods of ratio reasoning to convert units.
• I can solve problems that involve the conversion of units.
