How_To_Be_Good_At_Math

MEASUREMENT • IMPERIAL UNITS MEASUREMENT • IMPERIAL UNITS 189

Converting between

the imperial and

metric systems

We have learned about

converting measurements

within the metric system,

but we can also convert

between imperial and metric

units. It works both ways,

and all we need is a number

called a conversion factor.

Let’s convert 26 metres into feet.

All we need to do is multiply each

1 metre by its value in feet. We call

this value the conversion factor.

1 m is equal to 3.3 ft, so the

conversion factor we use to

change metres to feet is 3.3.

Now we multiply 26 by the

conversion factor: 26 × 3.3 = 85.8

26 × 3.3 = 85.8

So, 26 m is the same as 85.8 ft.

This tall building is 760 yards tall and

is 1 mile away from the dog.

Measuring in metric units, we can say

the building is about 690 metres tall

and is 1.6 kilometres away from the dog.

Length

The imperial units for length and distance

are called inches, feet, yards, and miles.

Volume and capacity

There are two imperial units

commonly used for volume and capacity:

pints and gallons. This pond has a volume

of 480 pints or 60 gallons. This is roughly

the same as 270 litres.

26 m =? ft

26 m = 85.8 ft

26 METRES

? FEET

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