1. A look into the 2 different systems
measurement
A look into the 2 different systems

2. Converting units in the metric system
The metric system is based on units of 10 which makes converting back and forth a matter of moving the decimal to the right or to the left. This picture shows you how to convert between units by climbing up or down the stairs. You’ll notice though that there are a few extra units than what we covered last class. For now, you don’t need to know these.

3. Converting units in the metric system
Check out this video for a few examples in converting between metric units:
Use this method or the stairstep method from earlier to solve the problems on the Unit Conversion: Metric and Customary doc.

4. Converting units in the customary system
Converting in the metric system is much simpler than in the customary system. However, the idea is the same, just that you won’t be multiplying and dividing by multiples of ten.
Check out this video to see an example. I personally like the last method, the purple method, the best and would recommend that you use that to make the conversion as simple as possible.

5. Converting units in the customary system
Let’s look at another example before I set you loose working on problems. You may use a calculator on these problems.
Convert miles to yards.
We don’t have a unit conversion that goes directly from miles to yards. However, we have one that goes from miles to ft and one that goes from ft to yd. So we need 2 conversions.

6. Converting units in the customary system
If you still don’t quite get it, there’s another method shown here that may be helpful: Converting Units
Go to the Unit Conversion: Metric and Customary doc and solve the problems there about the customary system.

7. Converting units between systems
Part of my goal in this mini unit is that you get a sense of how the 2 systems relate. To understand this, you’ll practice a few conversions and then answer a few questions that someone who plans to live in the U.S. should know.
Conversion Factors
1 centimeter  =  0.39 inch
1 inch  =  2.54 centimeters
1 meter  =  39.37 inches
1 foot  =  0.305 meter
1 meter  =  3.28 feet
1 yard  =  0.914 meter
1 meter  =  1.094 yards
1 kilometer  =  0.62 mile
1 mile  =  1.609 kilometers

8. Converting units between systems
Go to the Unit Conversions between Metric and Customary doc and answer all questions there.
If you’re still having trouble with conversions, here’s another video I recommend:
You’ve now finished a mini unit on the 2 systems of measurement. How do you feel? Did you learn anything?