Lesson 12 — Activity 2: Conversions within the Imperial System



Getting Ready


In this activity, you will look at conversions within the imperial system.

Remember that even if we use the metric system for most measuring, there are still times when you will use imperial units. Therefore, it is important that you also know about how to convert imperial units of measure.


 

Courtesy of Pixabay


Before we begin looking at conversions, let's review what you have learned about the imperial system.

Length
  • In the imperial system, the common units are the inch, foot, yard, and mile.   

Mass
  • The common units of mass in the imperial system are the ounce, pound, and ton. 

Capacity
  • The imperial system has many units of liquid capacity. They include the cup, pint, quart, Canadian gallon, and US gallon.


Conversions within the Imperial System

Below you will see a chart of equivalents that are used when converting within the imperial system.

In this chart, the larger units are on the left. The other unit has a number different than 1 in front of it (e.g., 12 inches). This number is called the conversion factor. This number (the conversion factor) will be important to know for when you are converting units.



Courtesy of ADLC

To convert within the imperial system, do the following:


1. To convert from a larger unit such as feet to a smaller unit such as inches, multiply the amount of the larger unit by the conversion factor.

2. To convert from a smaller unit such as quarts to a larger unit such as gallons, divide the amount of the smaller unit by the conversion factor.


Let's try a few examples.


Let's say you have made 25 quarts of pickles and wish to know how many gallons that is.

From the chart, 1 gallon = 4 quarts. The conversion factor is 4. Since you are going from a smaller unit to a larger one, you divide by the conversion factor 4. 
25 qt = 25 ÷ 4 = 6.25 gal
Therefore, 25 qt = 6.25 gal.             
You have 6.25 gallons of pickles.

Courtesy of Pixabay


Here's another example:

You have 7 feet of fabric and wish to know how many inches that is.

From the chart, 1 foot = 12 inches. The conversion factor is 12. To convert 7 feet to inches (larger unit to smaller unit), multiply by the conversion factor 12. 

1 ft = 12 in
7 ft = 7 x 12 = 84 in 
Therefore, 7 ft = 84 in.             
You have 84 inches of fabric.


Courtesy of Pixabay


Try This:

Do the following conversion on your own.


You have 27 pieces of lumber to build a shed. Each piece is 8 feet long. How many yards of lumber do you have?

 (Use a calculator to solve.)


  • First, multiply 27 x 8.
  • Take this answer and complete the conversion following rule #2 above to find how many yards you have.

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27 x 8 = 216 feet
From the chart, 1 yard = 3 feet. The conversion factor is 3. To convert 216 feet to yards (smaller unit to larger unit), divide by the conversion factor 3.

1 yd = 3 ft
216 ft = 216 ÷ 3 = 72
Therefore, 216 ft = 72 yd
You have 72 yards of lumber.



Self-check!


Try This!

Now answer these questions regarding imperial conversions on your own. Use the chart below.

  You may use a calculator to solve.



 When you are finished, click on the tabs below to check your answers! 


Joe wanted to convert 45 pounds to ounces. (Larger unit to smaller — multiply.)


From the chart, 1 pound = 16 ounces. The conversion factor is 16. To convert 45 pounds to ounces  (larger unit to smaller unit), multiply by the conversion factor 16.
1 lb = 16 oz
45 lb = 45 x 16 = 720
Therefore, 45 lb = 720 oz.


Jan wanted to convert 35 quarts to gallons. (Smaller unit to larger — divide.)


From the chart, 1 gallon = 4 quarts. The conversion factor is 4. To convert 35 quarts to gallons (smaller unit to larger unit), divide by the conversion factor 4.
1 gal = 4 qt
35 qt = 35  ÷ 4 = 8.75
 Therefore, 35 qt = 8.75 gal.

Courtesy of ADLC


Digging Deeper

Click here to try a game to convert imperial lengths.