Convert Customary
Units of Length
CA Standards
MG 1.4 Carry out simple
unit conversions within a
system of measurement (e.g.,
centimeters and meters, hours
and minutes).
MG 1.1 Choose the appropriate
tools and units (metric and
U.S.) and estimate and measure
the length, liquid volume, and
weight/mass of given objects.
Also KEY NS 2.1 , AF 1.4,
AF 2.0, KEY AF 2.1 ,
AF 2.2, MG 1.0, MR 1.1,
MR 2.0, MR 2.3, MR 2.4
foot (ft)
yard (yd)
Objective Choose the appropriate unit to estimate
and measure objects. Convert between units.
In Lesson 1, you learned how to measure an object
to the nearest inch. To measure longer lengths,
you can use units such as foot (ft) , yard (yd) , and
mile (mi) .
Question How can you
decide which unit to use to
measure an object?
Choose a unit to measure
the length of the Golden
Gate Bridge.
#USTOMARY5NITS
OF,ENGTH
FOOT INCHES
YARDFEET
YARDINCHES
MILEYARDS
MILEFEET
mile (mi)
The length of the Golden Gate Bridge is:
>_dj
Using a larger
unit gives you a
number that is
smaller and easier
to work with.
The Golden Gate Bridge
connects San Francisco
and Sausalito.
•
•
•
•
107,772 inches
8,981 feet
about 3,000 yards
about 2 miles
Solution: Measure the Golden Gate Bridge in mile
units because the bridge is long.
Houghton Mifflin California Math, Lesson Transparency 8.2
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Use with Chapter 8, Lesson 2
Choose the unit you would use to measure each.
Choose inches, feet, yards, or miles.
Do I need to use
a small, medium,
or large unit of
measure?
1. distance from your home to an airport
2. length of a soccer field
Choose the better estimate.
3. width of your desk
a. 3 miles
4. length of a classroom
b. 3 feet
a. 10 yards
b. 10 inches
Find a pattern. Then copy and complete the table.
5.
&EET
)NCHES
Math Talk
6.
9ARDS
&EET
Why would a person use miles
instead of feet to measure the distance from
Los Angeles to New York City?
Houghton Mifflin California Math, Lesson Transparency 8.2
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Use with Chapter 8, Lesson 2