SME
Grade 5 Math · Measurement & Data
Convert units of measure with decimals
Use this for “How many inches are in 2.5 feet?” and other changes that give a decimal.
Table
1 foot = 12 inches
Amount in bigger unit
Amount in smaller unit
This is an example. Type your own values to start a new problem.
Amount in bigger unit
×
Smaller units in 1 bigger unit
=
Amount in smaller unit
Formulas
2.5 × 12 = 30
Amount in bigger unit × smaller units in 1 bigger unit = amount in smaller unit
Assumptions
•
A bigger unit is a fixed number of smaller units: 1 foot = 12 inches, 1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces.
•
Bigger to smaller: multiply. Smaller to bigger: divide. The answer can be a decimal: 30 inches = 2.5 feet.
•
Also 1 yard = 3 feet or 36 inches, 1 mile = 5,280 feet, 1 pound = 16 ounces, 1 ton = 2,000 pounds.
•
Also 1 pint = 2 cups, 1 gallon = 4 quarts or 8 pints, 1 hour = 60 minutes; metric units are 10, 100 or 1,000 apart.
Step-by-step
WE KNOW
Amount in bigger unit: 2.5
Smaller units in 1 bigger unit: 12
FIND
amount in smaller unit
Step 1 · Find amount in smaller unit
2.5 × 12 = ?
Amount in bigger unit × smaller units in 1 bigger unit = amount in smaller unit
1 foot = 12 inches. Bigger to smaller: multiply.
2.5 × 12 = 30
Amount in smaller unit = 30
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
2.5 × 12 = 30 ✓
Topic check
See what you know: 5 questions on this topic
New questions each time. Pass to mark it complete.