Unit Rates & Conversions
How to set up & solve conversions using the unit rate
Let’s Review Unit Rate
Unit Rate is a comparison of two
amounts with different units and
one of the units equals 1.
 Example:
12 inches = 1 foot
This is a unit rate because there are two different units,
and one of the units (foot) equals 1.
More examples of a Unit Rate
 Example:
4 quarters = 1 dollar
This is a unit rate because there are two different units,
and one of the units (dollar) equals 1.
 Example:
1 McDonald’s sausage biscuit = 430 calories
This is a unit rate because there are two different units,
and one of the units (McDonald’s sausage biscuit) equals 1.
Other Examples of Unit Rates
Speedometers tell how fast a vehicle
is moving… in miles per hour.
We see unit rates around us all of the time…
we just do not realize they are there!
Road signs tell us what the speed
limit is that we can drive. In this
case, it’s 45 mph (miles per hour)
What we usually do not realize, is
that Miles Per Hour is actually saying
Miles Per 1 Hour!
Hey! That’s a unit rate!
Here we are… at
the gas station!
These prices are telling
us the cost per gallon,
or the cost per 1 gallon!
That’s a Unit Rate!
So… Key Word… per
When I see the word
per …. I know…
That’s a
Unit Rate!
How do Unit Rates help in the
Real World?
You use unit rates so much, you don’t even realize it!
If one bag of Takis cost $1, how much would 12 bags of Takis cost?
 You guessed it… $12! You used the amount it costs for ONE bag of
Takis, and multiplied it to find the amount for 12 bags… That’s called
using the Unit Rate!
But when else….
Would I use unit rate?
Mr. Wilson spent $252 to stay 3
nights at Days Inn. At that rate,
how much will he spend to stay 7
nights?
You can try to set it up like we usually do…
$
252
Nights
3
x
x?
7
But can you figure out the Constant of Proportionality here?
Mr. Wilson spent $252 to stay 3
nights at Days Inn. At that rate,
how much will he spend to stay 7
nights? It will cost Mr. Wilson $588 for 7 nights.
Let’s try finding the Unit Rate, first!
Remember, unit rate makes one of the units equal 1.
$
𝑁𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠
÷3
=
252
3
=
÷3
𝑥
1
We divide the 3 nights to one night
Now that we know the unit rate is 1 night = $84,
we can use it to figure out 7 nights!
$
𝑁𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠
=
84
1
=
x7
𝑥
7
Wait a Minute!
What did we do to solve that last problem?
(raise your hand and let’s review the steps)
Conversions
In order to solve some real world problems,
we have to use our logical thinking!
We will not have exactly what we need to solve a problem.
BUT
We can use other information that we already know to help
us solve the problem. We can then change or convert what
we know to the unit we need to solve the problem.
Information We Should Know
Example:
How many feet are in 12 yards?
To answer this question, I need to know how many feet are in 1 yard.
1 yard = 3 feet
The above unit rate is not in the problem, but I have to use it to solve!
Feet
Yards
x3
3
X
1
12
x3
12 yards = 36 feet
Example: 32 pints = __ gallons
To solve this question, I
need to know how many
pints are in 1 gallon.
UH OH! When I check my
table, it does not tell me
how many pints are in 1
gallon! That means, I
have to use another unit
rate to find out the unit
rate I need!
Example: 32 pints = __ gallons
The chart says:
1 quart= 2 pints
&
1 gallon = 4 quarts
I have 1 quart, but I need 4!
Quart
1
x
4 =4
Pints
2
x
4 =8
So…
4 quarts = 8 pints
If
4 quarts = 8 pints
And
4 quarts = 1 gallon
Then
8 pints = 1 gallon!
Example: 32 pints = __ gallons
The chart says:
1 quart= 2 pints
&
1 gallon = 4 quarts
I have 1 quart, but I need 4!
Quart
1
x
4 =4
Pints
2
x
4 =8
Pints
8
x4
32
Gallons
1
x4
x
So…
4 quarts = 8 pints
If
4 quarts = 8 pints
And
4 quarts = 1 gallon
Then
8 pints = 1 gallon!
32 pints = 4 gallons
Practice with Your Elbow Buddy