How to Convert Metric Units of Measurement

By Mark Zegarelli from Basic Math and Pre-Algebra For Dummies

If you want to convert from English to metric units or from metric to English un
its, there is a simple way to do this that uses only one formula for each type o
f conversion.
Understand conversion factors
When you multiply any number by 1, that number stays the same. For example, 36 1
= 36. And when a fraction has the same numerator (top number) and denominator (
bottom number), that fraction equals 1. So when you multiply a number by a fract
ion that equals 1, the number stays the same. For example:
image0.png
If you multiply a measurement by a special fraction that equals 1, you can switc
h from one unit of measurement to another without changing the value. People cal
l such fractions conversion factors.
Take a look at some equations that show how metric and English units are related
(all conversions between English and metric units are approximate):
1 meter 3.26 feet
1 kilometer 0.62 miles
1 liter 0.26 gallons
1 kilogram 2.20 pounds
Because the values on each side of the equations are equal, you can create fract
ions that are equal to 1, such as
image1.png
After you understand how units of measurement cancel, you can easily choose whic
h fractions to use to switch between units of measurement.
Cancel units of measurement
When youre multiplying fractions, you can cancel any factor that appears in both
the numerator and denominator. Just as with numbers, you can also cancel out uni
ts of measurement in fractions. For example, suppose you want to evaluate this f
raction:
image2.png
You already know that you can cancel out a factor of 2 in both the numerator and
denominator. But you can also cancel out the unit gallons in both the numerator
and denominator:
image3.png
So this fraction simplifies as follows:
= 3
Convert units
After you understand how to cancel out units in fractions and how to set up frac
tions equal to 1, you have a foolproof system for converting units of measuremen
t.
Suppose you want to convert 7 meters into feet. Using the equation 1 meter = 3.2
6 feet, you can make a fraction out of the two values as follows:
image4.png
Both fractions equal 1 because the numerator and the denominator are equal. So y
ou can multiply the quantity youre trying to convert (7 meters) by one of these f
ractions without changing it. Remember that you want the meters unit to cancel o
ut. You already have the word meters in the numerator (to make this clear, place
1 in the denominator), so use the fraction that puts 1 meter in the denominator
:
image5.png
Now cancel out the unit that appears in both the numerator and denominator:
image6.png
At this point, the only value in the denominator is 1, so you can ignore it. And
the only unit left is feet, so place it at the end of the expression:
Now do the multiplication:
= 22.82 feet
It may seem strange that the answer appears with the units already attached, but
thats the beauty of this method: When you set up the right expression, the answe
r just appears.