Practice Set · Part 1
Ratio Reasoning: Convert Measurements Between Systems
Pick up where we left off
Where we left off
Our goal: I can use ratio reasoning to convert measurements between the customary and metric systems, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.
The big idea: A conversion factor works in both directions: multiply to go one way and divide to go back. The shorter unit always gives the bigger number.
Model to copy — Example · Miles to kilometers
- A race is 3 miles long. Use 1 kilometer ≈ 0.6 mile. About how many kilometers long is the race?
- Write the conversion fact in the table: 1 km : 0.6 mi
- Find the scale factor from 0.6 to 3: 3 ÷ 0.6 = 5
- Multiply the kilometers by the same factor: 1 × 5 = 5
- The race is about 5 kilometers long.
Start here
Use the model to solve the first problem. Then try these quick review questions from earlier lessons.
- 1
Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.
Try it together — then prove it:- Terrance's dog weighs 31 pounds. Flea medicine comes in a package for dogs from 10 to 25 kilograms. Does this package fit his dog? Use 1 pound ≈ 0.45 kilogram.
- What is the scale factor from 1 lb to 30 lb? (× 30)
- Multiply 0.45 by the same factor. About how many kilograms is 30 pounds? (0.45 × 30 = 13.5 kg)
- Is a little more than 13.5 kg between 10 and 25 kg? (Yes, so the package fits.)
- 31 is more than 25. Why is the dog not too heavy? (31 is in pounds and 25 is in kilograms. We must convert before we compare.)
Show your work - 2
Quick reviewHow many cups are in 3 quarts? (1 quart = 4 cups)
- A3/4 cup
- B7 cups
- C12 cups
- D16 cups
How do you know?
- 3
Quick reviewA rope is 240 centimetres long. How many metres is that? (1 m = 100 cm)
- A0.24 m
- B2.4 m
- C24 m
- D240 m
How do you know?
- 4
Quick reviewWhich conversion factor changes feet into inches?
- A1 ft / 12 in
- B1 in / 12 ft
- C3 ft / 1 yd
- D12 in / 1 ft
How do you know?
Practice Set · Part 2
Ratio Reasoning: Convert Measurements Between Systems
Keep going
Try these on your own
Choose an answer. Then explain how you know.
- 5
Think it throughUsing 1 km ≈ 0.6 mi, about how many miles is 10 kilometers?
- A0.06 mile
- B6 miles
- C16 miles
- D60 miles
Why is that the answer?
- 6
Think it throughUsing 1 lb ≈ 0.45 kg, about how many kilograms is a 30-pound dog?
- A4.5 kg
- B13.5 kg
- C30.45 kg
- D66 kg
How do you know? Give a second reason as well.
- 7
Think it throughWhy do conversions between systems use ≈ rather than =?
- ABecause metric units are always bigger
- BBecause the amounts are actually different
- CBecause ratios cannot be exact
- DThe conversion factors are rounded approximations
Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?
- 8
Back to the modelWhy is a conversion between two systems written with ≈ instead of =, when a conversion inside one system (12 in = 1 ft) is exact?
Sort it again — on paper this time
Write the letter of the group each one belongs in.
- mile
- kilometer
- pound
- kilogram
- inch
- centimeter
- gallon
- liter
Practice Set · Part 3
Ratio Reasoning: Convert Measurements Between Systems
Words and reasoning
Word bank · Banco de palabras
Use the words
Fill each blank with a word from the bank.
- The ratio that trades one unit for another is a ___ ___.
- Inches, pounds and gallons belong to the ___ system.
- Centimeters, grams and liters belong to the ___ system, built on tens.
- Close to but not exactly equal is ___ — written with ≈.
Explain the thinking
- 9
Find the mistakeRead the mistake. Explain what went wrong, then show the correct step.
The mistake: A common mistake converting between systems is comparing the bare numbers without converting at all — deciding that 5 kilometers and 5 miles are the same distance because both say 5. - 10
Say moreTo convert between systems you used a conversion factor like 1 km ≈ 0.6 mi as a RATIO. How does writing it as the ratio 1 : 0.6 let a table do the converting for you?
- 11
Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: Two smoothie stands at Chef Academy report their morning sales. Stand A sold 45 smoothies in 9 hours. Stand B sold 56 smoothies in 8 hours.
Show your work
Practice Set · Part 4
Ratio Reasoning: Convert Measurements Between Systems
Show what you know
Last check
These two come from Lesson 3.6. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.
- 12
Show what you knowExplain your thinking — A highway sign in Canada reads 100 km/h. Using 1 km ≈ 0.6 mi, is that faster or slower than 100 mi/h?
- ASlower — 100 km/h is about 60 mi/h
- BFaster — 100 km/h is about 160 mi/h
- CThe same, because both numbers are 100
- DYou cannot compare two different systems
Explain your choice.
- 13
From Lesson 3.6Explain your thinking — There are 4 cups in 1 quart. A soup recipe calls for 5 quarts of broth. How many cups is that, and why?
- A1.25 cups, because I divide 5 by 4
- B5 cups, because the amount does not change
- C9 cups, because I add 5 + 4
- D20 cups, because cups are smaller so I multiply: 5 × 4
How do you know?
- 14
From Lesson 3.6You convert 96 ounces to pounds (16 ounces = 1 pound). Should the number get bigger or smaller?
- ABigger, because 96 is already large
- BSmaller, because pounds are the larger unit
- CIt stays the same
- DYou cannot tell without the ratio table
How do you know?
Check your progress
Choose the box that best describes how you feel about each skill.
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Got it |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can use ratio reasoning to convert measurements between the customary and metric systems, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before. | |||
| I can explain why it works: A conversion factor works in both directions: multiply to go one way and divide to go back… | |||
| I can justify my answer to a skeptic and connect it to a second strategy or representation. |
One question I want to ask my group next time