SME
Grade 5 Math · Problem type
Convert metric units
Use this for “A trail is 12 kilometers long. How many meters is that?”
Diagram
Bigger units: 2.5 on the top line sits over 250 on the bottom line: each 1 above is 100 below.
This is an example. Type your own values to start a new problem.
Bigger units
×
Smaller units in 1 bigger unit
=
Smaller units
Units
example
Formulas
m → cm: 1 bigger unit = 100 smaller units
The units chosen give the smaller units in 1 bigger unit
2.5 × 100 = 250
Bigger units × smaller units in 1 bigger unit = smaller units
Assumptions
•
Metric units go by powers of 10: 10, 100 or 1,000 of the smaller unit.
•
Bigger to smaller: multiply, and every digit moves left.
•
Smaller to bigger: divide, and every digit moves right.
Step-by-step
WE KNOW
Units: m → cm
Bigger units: 2.5
FIND
smaller units in 1 bigger unit, smaller units
Step 1 · Find smaller units in 1 bigger unit
1 meter = ? centimeters
The units chosen give the smaller units in 1 bigger unit
Metric units are 10, 100 or 1,000 apart: recall the pair.
Smaller units in 1 bigger unit = 100
Step 2 · Find smaller units
2.5 × 100 = ?
Bigger units × smaller units in 1 bigger unit = smaller units
1 meter = 100 centimeters. Multiply.
Every digit moves 2 places left: 2.5 → 250
Smaller units = 250 (2.5 meters = 250 centimeters)
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
Centimeters in 1 meter: 100 ✓
2.5 × 100 = 250 ✓
Topic check
See what you know: 5 questions on this topic
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Place value patterns and powers of 10
Main lesson
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