Lesson 1: What is Measurement,

Imperial vs. Metric, Length Measurements

Using the “Ladder Method” we looked at yesterday, answer the following: Write the correct abbreviation for each metric unit.

1) Kilogram _____ 4) Milliliter _____ 7) Kilometer _____

2) Meter _____ 5) Millimeter _____ 8) Centimeter _____

3) Gram _____ 6) Liter _____ 9) Milligram _____

Try these conversions, using the ladder method.

10) 2000 mg = _______ g 15) 5 L = _______ mL 20) 16 cm = _______ mm

11) 104 km = _______ m 16) 198 g = _______ kg 21) 2500 m = _______ km

12) 480 cm = _____ m 17) 75 mL = _____ L 22) 65 g = _____ mg

13) 5.6 kg = _____ g 18) 50 cm = _____ m 23) 6.3 cm = _____ mm

14) 8 mm = _____ cm 19) 5.6 m = _____ cm 24) 120 mg = _____ g

Metric Conversion Challenge Warm-Up

What Will We Learn in this Unit?What Will We Learn in this Unit?

Throughout this unit, you will learn the following:

• The importance and historical background of measurements.

• The difference between the metric and imperial systems of measurement.

• Converting units of length, temperature, volume and weight within systems of measurements.

• Converting measurements from imperial to metric and vice versa.

What is Measurement?What is Measurement?

What is measurement? Why is it important?

• A standard set of agreed upon means to measure things in our physical world and the environment around us.

What sorts of things do we measure in our daily life?

• Weight

• Length

• Volume

• Temperature

The History of MeasurementThe History of Measurement

• Standards of measurements have existed since the appearance of organized societies. Babylon, Egypt, and the city states of Greece all had standards against which commercial measuring devices had to be compared and approved. By about 500 B.C., Athens had its own central depository of official weights and measures — the Tholos — and some fifth-century-B.C.

The History of MeasurementThe History of Measurement•During the 18th century, French scientists concluded that a length standard based on an unchanging physical quantity was highly desirable. The metric system, proclaimed in 1795 — or Système International (SI), as it is now officially called — grew out of a 1734 attempt to measure the distance between the Equator and the North Pole. The metre was defined as one ten-millionth of that distance. As is well known, the French measurement was very slightly in error. It resulted, nevertheless, in a carefully-made bar that became the standard metre.

Imperial Units of MeasurementImperial Units of Measurement• The imperial system of measurement is based on the following:

• Weight: Pounds and Ounces

• 6lbs 8oz (lbs stands for pounds, oz stands for ounces)

• Length: Inches, Feet, Yards and Miles

• 12” (” stands for inches) – there are 12” in 1 foot (ft).

• 4’ (’ stands for feet) – there are 3’ in 1 yard.

• 10 yds (yds stands for yards) – there are 1760 yds in a mile.

• Volume: Fluid Ounces, Pints, Quarts, Gallons

• 2 pints = 1 quart

• 4 quarts = 1 gallon

Metric Units of MeasurementMetric Units of Measurement• The Metric System of Measurement (SI) is based on the following:

•A base unit that corresponds to a certain kind of measurement

•Length = meter•Volume = liter•Weight (Mass) = gram

Prefixes plus base units make up the metric system Example:

Centi + meter = Centimeter (cm)Milli + liter = Millliter (mL)Kilo + gram = Kilogram (kg)

Metric Units of MeasurementMetric Units of Measurement• As we have already taken a look at, the metric system is much easier to convert up and down between units because everything is based on the powers of 10 using different prefixes.

•These prefixes are based on powers of 10. What does this mean?• From each prefix every “step” is either:

10 times larger or

10 times smaller

• For example

• Centimeters are 10 times larger than millimeters

• 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters

• Decimeters are 10 times larger than centimeters

• 10cm = 1dm

Metric Units of MeasurementMetric Units of Measurement

• The most common metric lengths we use in our day to day lives are: millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), meters (m) and kilometers (km). From previous grades you should know that:

• 10mm = 1cm

• 100cm = 1m

• 1000m = 1km

• As well, you may use the handy “Ladder Method” we looked at yesterday:

KILO1000Units

HECTO100

Units

DEKA10

UnitsDECI

0.1Unit

CENTI0.01Unit

MILLI0.001Unit

MetersLitersGrams

Ladder Method

How do you use the “ladder” method?

1st – Determine your starting point.

2nd – Count the “jumps” to your ending point.

3rd – Move the decimal the same number of jumps in the same direction.

4 km = _________ m

12

3

How many jumps does it take?

Starting Point Ending Point

4.1

__.2

__.3

__. = 4000 m

Metric Units of MeasurementMetric Units of Measurement

– Centimeters are 10 times larger than millimeters so it takes more millimeters for the same length

1 centimeter = 10 millimeters

Example not to scale

1 mm

1 mm

1 mm

1 mm

1 mm

1 mm

1 mm

1 mm

1 mm

1 mm

1 cm

5

6

6

5

Imperial vs. Metric Measurements - LengthImperial vs. Metric Measurements - Length

• Here are some of the common conversion lengths from metric to imperial:

Imperial vs. Metric Measurements - LengthImperial vs. Metric Measurements - Length

•Here is a simple multiplication quick reference to convert between units:

Imperial vs. Metric UnitsImperial vs. Metric Units

Left Image: http://webapps.lsa.umich.edu/physics/demolab/controls/imagedemosm.aspx?picid=1167Right Image: http://share.lancealan.com/N800%20ruler.jpg

Which is longer?

A. 1 mile or 1 kilometer

B. 1 yard or 1 meter

C. 1 inch or 1 centimeter

1.6 kilometers

1 mile

1 yard = 0.9444 meters

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters

Metric UnitsMetric Units

The basic unit of length in the metric system in the meter and is represented by a lowercase m.

Standard: The distance traveled by light in absolute vacuum in 1⁄299,792,458 of a second.

Metric Units

1 Kilometer (km) = 1000 meters

1 Meter = 100 Centimeters (cm)

1 Meter = 1000 Millimeters (mm)

Which is larger?

A. 1 meter or 105 centimeters

B. 4 kilometers or 4400 meters

C. 12 centimeters or 102 millimeters

D. 1200 millimeters or 1 meter

Click the image to watch a short video

about the meter.

Measuring LengthMeasuring Length

Ruler: http://www.k12math.com/math-concepts/measurement/ruler-cm.jpg

How many millimeters are in 1 centimeter?

What is the length of the line in centimeters? _______cm

What is the length of the line in millimeters? _______mm

What is the length of the line to the nearest centimeter? ________cm

HINT: Round to the nearest centimeter – no decimals.

1 centimeter = 10 millimeters

Measuring WorksheetMeasuring Worksheet

• Now, with your table partner, complete the unit 4.1 Practice Assignment