Name
Date
Class
WORKSHEET
28
MATH SKILLS
A Formula for SI Catch-up
Scientists use SI all the time. But most people in the United States still use non-SI units. So
what do you do if you have data in non-SI units and you want to convert the data into SI
units, or vice versa? Have no fear! Conversion charts, like the one shown below, can help
you accomplish the task with ease.
SI Conversion Chart
Multiply by
inches (in.)
feet (ft)
2.54
centimeters (cm)
30.50
centimeters (cm)
yards (yd)
0.91
meters (m)
miles (mi)
1.61
kilometers (km)
ounces (oz)
28.35
pounds (lb)
0.45
kilograms (kg)
29.57
milliliters (mL)
fluid ounces (fl oz)
grams (g)
cups (c)
0.24
liters (L)
pints (pt)
0.47
liters (L)
quarts (qt)
0.94
liters (L)
gallons (gal)
3.79
liters (L)
PROCEDURE: To convert from non-SI units to SI units, find the non-SI unit in the
left column and multiply it by the number in the center column. The resulting
number will be in the SI unit in the right column.
To convert a SI unit into a non-SI unit, find the SI unit in the right column and
divide by the number in the center column to get the non-SI unit on the left.
▼
▼
▼
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
To find
MATH SKILLS
If you know
SAMPLE PROBLEM: Convert 15 gal into liters (L).
15 3.79 56.85 L
Complete the Conversions!
1. Use the SI conversion chart to do the following conversions (round to the nearest
hundredths):
a. 15 oz __________________ g
b. 40 cm __________________ in.
c. 2 c __________________ L
d. 27 m __________________ yd
e. 5.5 gal __________________ L
f. 115 lb __________________ kg
MATH SKILLS FOR SCIENCE
39
Name
Date
Class
A Formula for SI Catch-up, continued
2. A chemistry experiment calls for 6 mL of HCl (hydrochloric acid). How many fluid
ounces is this?
3. Simone wants to compete in a 15 km run. The farthest she can run is 10 mi. Can she
finish the race?
4. A cake recipe calls for 1 cup of milk. How many milliliters is this?
5. Julie is 162 cm tall. How tall is she in feet?
6. George ran 1000 yd in gym class. How many kilometers did he run?
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
7. Alejandro weighed 8 lb, 4 oz when he was born. How many grams did he weigh?
40
HOLT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Name
Date
Class
WORKSHEET
28
MATH SKILLS
A Formula for SI Catch-up
Scientists use SI all the time. But most people in the United States still use non-SI units. So
what do you do if you have data in non-SI units and you want to convert the data into SI
units, or vice versa? Have no fear! Conversion charts, like the one shown below, can help
you accomplish the task with ease.
SI Conversion Chart
Multiply by
inches (in.)
feet (ft)
2.54
centimeters (cm)
30.50
centimeters (cm)
yards (yd)
0.91
meters (m)
miles (mi)
1.61
kilometers (km)
ounces (oz)
28.35
pounds (lb)
0.45
kilograms (kg)
29.57
milliliters (mL)
fluid ounces (fl oz)
grams (g)
cups (c)
0.24
liters (L)
pints (pt)
0.47
liters (L)
quarts (qt)
0.94
liters (L)
gallons (gal)
3.79
liters (L)
PROCEDURE: To convert from non-SI units to SI units, find the non-SI unit in the
left column and multiply it by the number in the center column. The resulting
number will be in the SI unit in the right column.
To convert a SI unit into a non-SI unit, find the SI unit in the right column and
divide by the number in the center column to get the non-SI unit on the left.
▼
▼
▼
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
To find
MATH SKILLS
If you know
SAMPLE PROBLEM: Convert 15 gal into liters (L).
15 3.79 56.85 L
Complete the Conversions!
1. Use the SI conversion chart to do the following conversions (round to the nearest
hundredths):
a. 15 oz (15 28.35) 425.25g
__________________
b. 40 cm (40
2.54) 15.75 in.
__________________
c. 2 c (2 0.24) 0.48
__________________
L
d. 27 m (27
0.91) 29.67 yd
__________________
e. 5.5 gal (5.5 3.79) 20.85 L
__________________
f. 115 lb (115
0.45) 51.75 kg
__________________
MATH SKILLS FOR SCIENCE
39
Name
Date
Class
A Formula for SI Catch-up, continued
2. A chemistry experiment calls for 6 mL of HCl (hydrochloric acid). How many fluid
ounces is this?
6 mL 29.57 fl oz/mL 0.2 fl oz
3. Simone wants to compete in a 15 km run. The farthest she can run is 10 mi. Can she
finish the race?
10 mi 1.61 km/mi 16.1 km; Yes, she can finish the race.
4. A cake recipe calls for 1 cup of milk. How many milliliters is this?
1 c 0.24 L/c 0.24 L; 0.24 L 240 mL
5. Julie is 162 cm tall. How tall is she in feet?
162 cm 30.5 cm/ft 5.31 ft
6. George ran 1000 yd in gym class. How many kilometers did he run?
1000 yd 0.91 m/yd 900 m; 900 m 1000 km/m 0.9 km
7. Alejandro weighed 8 lb, 4 oz when he was born. How many grams did he weigh?
3600 g 113.4 g 3713.4 g. He weighed 3713.4 g.
40
HOLT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
8 lb 0.45 kg/lb 3.6 kg; 3.6 kg 1000 g/kg 3600 g; 4 oz 28.35 g/oz 113.4 g;