1. Lesson 1: What is Measurement, Imperial vs. Metric, Length Measurements

2. Metric Conversion Challenge Warm-Up
Using the “Ladder Method” we looked at yesterday, answer the following: Write the correct abbreviation for each metric unit.
1) Kilogram _____ 4) Milliliter _____ 7) Kilometer _____
2) Meter _____ 5) Millimeter _____ 8) Centimeter _____
3) Gram _____ 6) Liter _____ 9) Milligram _____
Try these conversions, using the ladder method.
10) 2000 mg = _______ g 15) 5 L = _______ mL 20) 16 cm = _______ mm
11) 104 km = _______ m 16) 198 g = _______ kg 21) 2500 m = _______ km
12) 480 cm = _____ m 17) 75 mL = _____ L 22) 65 g = _____ mg
13) 5.6 kg = _____ g 18) 50 cm = _____ m 23) 6.3 cm = _____ mm
14) 8 mm = _____ cm 19) 5.6 m = _____ cm 24) 120 mg = _____ g

3. What Will We Learn in this Unit?
Throughout this unit, you will learn the following:
The importance and historical background of measurements.
The difference between the metric and imperial systems of measurement.
Converting units of length, temperature, volume and weight within systems of measurements.
Converting measurements from imperial to metric and vice versa.

4. What is Measurement? What is measurement? Why is it important?
A standard set of agreed upon means to measure things in our physical world and the environment around us.
What sorts of things do we measure in our daily life?
Weight
Length
Volume
Temperature

5. The History of Measurement
Standards of measurements have existed since the appearance of organized societies. Babylon, Egypt, and the city states of Greece all had standards against which commercial measuring devices had to be compared and approved. By about 500 B.C., Athens had its own central depository of official weights and measures — the Tholos — and some fifth-century-B.C.

6. The History of Measurement
During the 18th century, French scientists concluded that a length standard based on an unchanging physical quantity was highly desirable. The metric system, proclaimed in 1795 — or Système International (SI), as it is now officially called — grew out of a 1734 attempt to measure the distance between the Equator and the North Pole. The metre was defined as one ten-millionth of that distance. As is well known, the French measurement was very slightly in error. It resulted, nevertheless, in a carefully-made bar that became the standard metre.

7. Imperial Units of Measurement
The imperial system of measurement is based on the following:
Weight: Pounds and Ounces
6lbs 8oz (lbs stands for pounds, oz stands for ounces)
Length: Inches, Feet, Yards and Miles
12” (” stands for inches) – there are 12” in 1 foot (ft).
4’ (’ stands for feet) – there are 3’ in 1 yard.
10 yds (yds stands for yards) – there are 1760 yds in a mile.
Volume: Fluid Ounces, Pints, Quarts, Gallons
2 pints = 1 quart
4 quarts = 1 gallon

8. Metric Units of Measurement
The Metric System of Measurement (SI) is based on the following:
A base unit that corresponds to a certain kind of measurement
Length = meter
Volume = liter
Weight (Mass) = gram
Prefixes plus base units make up the metric system
Example:
Centi + meter = Centimeter (cm)
Milli + liter = Millliter (mL)
Kilo + gram = Kilogram (kg)

9. Metric Units of Measurement
As we have already taken a look at, the metric system is much easier to convert up and down between units because everything is based on the powers of 10 using different prefixes.
These prefixes are based on powers of 10. What does this mean?
From each prefix every “step” is either:
10 times larger or
10 times smaller
For example
Centimeters are 10 times larger than millimeters
1 centimeter = 10 millimeters
Decimeters are 10 times larger than centimeters
10cm = 1dm

10. Metric Units of Measurement
The most common metric lengths we use in our day to day lives are: millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), meters (m) and kilometers (km). From previous grades you should know that:
10mm = 1cm
100cm = 1m
1000m = 1km
As well, you may use the handy “Ladder Method” we looked at yesterday:

11. How many jumps does it take?
Ladder Method 1 2 3
KILO 1000 Units
HECTO 100 Units
DEKA 10 Units
DECI 0.1 Unit
Meters Liters Grams
CENTI 0.01 Unit
MILLI Unit
How do you use the “ladder” method?
1st – Determine your starting point.
2nd – Count the “jumps” to your ending point.
3rd – Move the decimal the same number of jumps in the same direction.
4 km = _________ m
Starting Point
Ending Point
How many jumps does it take? 4. 1
__. 2
__. 3
__.
= 4000 m

12. Metric Units of Measurement
Centimeters are 10 times larger than millimeters so it takes more millimeters for the same length
1 centimeter = 10 millimeters
Example not to scale 5 6
1 mm 5 6
1 cm

13. Imperial vs. Metric Measurements - Length
Here are some of the common conversion lengths from metric to imperial:

14. Imperial vs. Metric Measurements - Length
Here is a simple multiplication quick reference to convert between units:

15. Imperial vs. Metric Units
Which is longer?
A. 1 mile or 1 kilometer
B. 1 yard or 1 meter
C. 1 inch or 1 centimeter
1.6 kilometers
1 mile
1 yard = meters
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
Left Image: Right Image:

16. Click the image to watch a short video about the meter.
Metric Units km m cm mm
The basic unit of length in the metric system in the meter and is represented by a lowercase m.
Standard: The distance traveled by light in absolute vacuum in 1⁄299,792,458 of a second.
Metric Units
1 Kilometer (km) = 1000 meters
1 Meter = 100 Centimeters (cm)
1 Meter = 1000 Millimeters (mm)
Click the image to watch a short video about the meter.
Which is larger?
A. 1 meter or 105 centimeters
B. 4 kilometers or 4400 meters
C. 12 centimeters or 102 millimeters
D millimeters or 1 meter

17. Measuring Length How many millimeters are in 1 centimeter?
1 centimeter = 10 millimeters
How many millimeters are in 1 centimeter?
What is the length of the line in centimeters? _______cm
What is the length of the line in millimeters? _______mm
What is the length of the line to the nearest centimeter? ________cm
HINT: Round to the nearest centimeter – no decimals.
Ruler:

18. Measuring Worksheet
Now, with your table partner, complete the unit 4.1 Practice Assignment