Lesson 3: Basic Measurement Systems and Conversions
Explore 2
Try This
Please complete the following exercises in your course folder ( binder).
TT 1.(Try This 1) Complete “Exercises” questions 7, 8, 11, and 18 on pages 11 and 12 of your textbook.
Use the link below to check your work.
The next step is to learn how to convert measurements between the SI and the imperial system. In the Math Lab: Body Referents in Lesson 1, you established referents for both measurement systems. You can use these referents to make sure each of your calculations is reasonable.
To do so, you would estimate the answer using an appropriate referent; then compare your estimate with your calculation. If the numbers are close, then your calculation is reasonable. If the numbers are different, stop to think about why the numbers are different and where you might have gone wrong in your calculations. Keep this in mind as you read the next section. You will have an opportunity to use referents to estimate in a subsequent Self-Check section.
Read
How do you convert between SI and imperial units? The strategies to do this are the same as those used in the previous conversions. The first thing you have to do is find out the relationship between the units. Once you know this, you can either set up a ratio or prepare to convert using unit analysis.
Foundations and Pre-calculus Mathematics 10 (Pearson)
Read “Example 1: Converting from Metres to Feet” on page 18 to see how a measurement in metres is converted to an equivalent measure in feet.
Read “Example 2: Converting between Miles and Kilometres” on page 19 to see two methods for solving a problem involving a conversion between miles and kilometres.
When you are done, you can test yourself in the Self-Check section.
Self-Check
For each of the following, choose the correct answer.
SC 1. A measure of 2 cm is (larger than, smaller than) an inch.
SC 2. A measure of a mile is (larger than, smaller than) a kilometre.
SC 3. A measure of a yard is (larger than, smaller than) a metre.
SC 4. A measure of 25 cm is (larger than, smaller than) a foot.
SC 5. Convert 90 in to yards, demonstrating unit analysis. For this question, please show all your steps to the solution.
Try This
Please complete the following exercises in your course folder ( binder).
TT 1.(Try This 1) Complete “Exercises” questions 9, 11, 14, and 16 on pages 22 and 23 of your textbook.
Use the link below to check your work.
Share
You now have learned several ways of converting measurements from one unit to another. You can convert measurements by setting up a proportion and using cross-multiplication. Alternatively, you could use unit analysis. You also have an idea of how metric units compare to imperial units.
Can you describe why working with proportions is a good strategy for doing unit conversions? Have you developed other strategies of your own? Discuss these questions with another student or appropriate partner (if possible). Save your answers in your course folder ( binder).