Lesson 15 — Activity 2:

Converting Metric to Imperial


Converting from Metric to Imperial

You might also want to convert from metric to imperial units. When you do this, the process is the same, except you use the metric to imperial equivalents side of the chart (the right-hand side).


Here are the steps!


To convert from an amount in a metric unit to an imperial unit:


  1. Use the metric to imperial side of the chart.
  2. The conversion factor is in front of the imperial unit.
  3. MULTIPLY the original metric amount by the conversion factor.
  4. Put the correct imperial unit after the multiplication answer.
  5. The amount is now converted to imperial! 

Let's try some examples!

Note: For these conversions, you will want to use your calculator. Please get it ready now so you can practise converting the units.


Example #1: You are on vacation in Europe, and you are driving to Zurich, Switzerland, which is 143 km away. How many miles will you travel?   

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Since you are converting an amount, 143 km, which is a metric unit to an imperial unit (miles), use the metric to imperial side of the chart (the right-hand side).

From the metric to imperial side of the chart:

1 km = .62 mi, therefore, the conversion factor is .62.

143 x .62 = 88.66 mi (rounded to 89 mi) — multiply the original amount of 143 kilometres by the conversion factor .62.

143 km = 89 mi

(Don't forget to place the imperial unit, miles, after the answer.) 



Example #2: You are sending a package from Canada to the US You know the package weighs 25 kilograms, however, on the packing slip, it asks for the weight in pounds. Convert 25 kilograms to pounds.
Image Source: Pixabay

From the metric to imperial side of the chart:

1 kg = 2.2 pounds, therefore, the conversion factor is 2.2.

25 x 2.2 = 55 — multiply the original amount of 25 kilograms by the conversion factor 2.2.

25 kg = 55 pounds 

(Don't forget to place the imperial unit, pounds, after the answer.) 

  Self-check!


Try This!

Convert the following metric units to imperial units using the chart below. When you are finished, click on the tab to check your answers!

Convert 85 metres to feet.

Convert 65 metres to yards.

Convert 120 kilometres to miles.


85 m x 3.3 ft = 280.5 feet (or round up to 281 ft)

65 m x 1.09 yd = 70.85 yd (or round up to 71 yd)

120 km  x .62 mi = 74.4 miles (or round down to 74 mi)

Digging Deeper!


Remember!

Because there are fewer units in the metric system, there are sometimes several conversion factors after a metric unit. For example, 1 metre can equal 39.4 inches, 3.3 feet, or 1.09 yards (see the chart). To convert from metres to feet, choose the conversion factor that changes metres to feet, which is 3.3. To convert from metres to inches, choose the conversion factor 39.4. To convert from metres to yards, choose the conversion factor 1.09.