Students will learn how to use ratio reasoning to convert measurement units.
Lesson Objective
The lesson is aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics – 6.RP.3.d Ratios and Proportional Relationships – Use ratio reasoning to convert measurement units; manipulate and transform units appropriately when multiplying or dividing quantities.
Lesson Procedure:
Use ratios to convert the measurement units.
A ratio can be written to show the relationship between inches and centimeters.
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
This can be written as a ratio of inch to centimeters.
1 to 2.54
1 : 2.54
1/2.54
1. Complete the table to show four inches is equal to the number of centimeters.
2. How many centimeters equal 4 inches?
3. Explain how you found your answer.
A ratio can be written to show the relationship between miles and kilometers.
1 mile = 1.6 kilometers
This can be written as a ratio of mile to kilometers.
1 to 1.6
1 : 1.6
1/1.6
4. Complete the table to show five miles is equal to the number of kilometers.
5. How many kilometers equal 5 miles?
6. Explain how you found your answer.
Answers:
- Complete the table.
- Multiply 1 x 4 = 4, so multiply 2.54 x 4 = 10.16.
- 4 inches equal 10.16 centimeters
- Complete the table.
- Multiply 1 x 5 = 5, so multiply 1.6 x 5 = 8.
- 5 miles equal approximately 8 kilometers
Individual or Group Work
Use ratios to solve problems involving measurement conversion.
1 pound equals approximately 0.454 kilograms
- Write the ratio to show the relationship between pounds and kilograms.
- Approximately, how many kilograms are equal to 16 pounds? 7.264 kilograms
- Approximately, how many kilograms are equal to 8 pounds? 3.632 kilograms
1 foot equals approximately 0.305 meters
- Write the ratio to show the relationship between feet and meters.
- Approximately, how many meters are equal to 7 feet? 2.135 meters
- Approximately, how many meters are equal to 14 feet? 4.27 meters
1 mile equals 5,280 feet
- Write the ratio to show the relationship between miles and feet.
- How many feet are equal to 26 miles? 137,280 feet
- How many feet are equal to 15 miles? 79,200 feet
1 yard equals 36 inches
- Write the ratio to show the relationship between yards and inches.
- How many inches are equal to 3 yards? 108 inches
- How many inches are equal to 5 yards? 180 inches
Answers:
1 pound equals approximately 0.454 kilograms
- pounds to kilograms, 1 to 0.454, 1 : 0.454, 1/0.454
- 7.264 kilograms
- 3.632 kilograms
1 foot equals approximately 0.305 meters
- feet to meters, 1 to 0.305, 1 : 0.305, 1/0.305
- 2.135 meters
- 4.27 meters
1 mile equals 5,280 feet
- miles to feet, 1 to 5,280m 1 : 5,280, 1/5,280
- 137,280 feet
- 79,200 feet
1 yard equals 36 inches
- yards to inches, 1 to 36, 1 : 36, 1/36
- 108 inches
- 180 inches
This post is part of the series: Ratios, Rates and Percentages
This series of lesson plans provides you with classroom teaching tool ideas as well as group or individual work example problems and answers you can use to help your students comprehend ratios, rates and percentages. The lessons align to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
