Unit Conversions
Lesson 2.07
After completing this lesson, you will be able to say:
• I can determine the appropriate conversion
factor when converting units.
• I can convert units between metric and
customary systems.
Conversion Factors
Conversion factor:
A factor used to multiply or divide a
quantity when converting from one unit to
another so that units can cancel, which
has an overall value of 1.
Conversion Table
It is recommended that you save a copy of this or print
it so that you have this readily available for future use.
You can print a copy on page 2 of your lesson.
Converting Units of Measure
Step 1: Determine the conversion factor
Step 2: Choose the correct conversion
Step 3: Perform the conversion
Converting units of measure
20 fluid ounces (fl oz) = ___ cups
Step 1: Determine the conversion factor
Step 2: Choose the correct conversion
Reminder – you want to convert from ounces to cups, chose the
conversion factor that will allow units to cancel when multiplied.
20 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠
Think of it as
, which conversion factor will allow the
1
units to cancel?
20 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠
1 𝑐𝑢𝑝
x
1
8 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒
Step 3: Perform the conversion
20
1 𝑐𝑢𝑝
20 𝑐𝑢𝑝𝑠
1
20 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠
1 𝑐𝑢𝑝
x
=
𝑥
=
=
2
cups
1
8 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒
1
8
8
2
Multiple step conversions
85 inches = ___ yards
Determine the first conversion factor
12 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
1 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡
or
1 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡
12 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
Remember, you want to convert from inches to feet.
You want the inches to cancel so they should be in
the denominator
Frist conversion
𝟖𝟓 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔
𝟏 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕
𝟖𝟓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕
𝟏
𝒙
=
=𝟕
𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕
𝟏
𝟏𝟐 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔
𝟏𝟐
𝟏𝟐
Determine the second conversion factor
3 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
1 𝑦𝑎𝑟𝑑
or
1 𝑦𝑎𝑟𝑑
3 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
Remember, you want to convert from feet to yards.
You want the feet to cancel so they should be in the
denominator
Second conversion
1
712𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
1
1
7
12
𝑥
÷3 =
1
1 𝑦𝑎𝑟𝑑
3 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
=
85
12
3
1
÷
712
=
1
85
12
𝑥
1 𝑦𝑎𝑟𝑑
3
x
1
3
=
1
=
85
36
712𝑦𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠
3
=
13
2
36
𝑦𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠
Metric Conversions
It is recommended that you save a copy of this or print
it so that you have this readily available for future use.
You can print a copy on page 3 of your lesson.
Converting Units of Measure
Step 1: Determine the conversion factor
Step 2: Choose the correct conversion
Step 3: Perform the conversion
Converting Units of Measure
Max has a piece of luggage that weighs 23.4 pounds. Convert this
weight into kilograms.
Step 1: Determine the conversion factor
1 pound = 0.454 kilogram
Step 2: Choose the correct conversion
Remember, you want to convert from pounds to kilograms. You want the
pounds to cancel so they should be in the denominator
23.4 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠 0.454 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠
𝑥
1
1 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑
Step 3: Perform the conversion
23.4 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠
1
𝑥
0.454 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠
1 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑
= 23.4 x 0.454 kilograms = 10.6236 kilograms
Max's luggage can be rounded to 10.62 kilograms
Now that you completed this lesson, you should
be able to say:
• I can determine the appropriate conversion
factor when converting units.
• I can convert units between metric and
customary systems.