[Spreadsheet]  

1. Step 1: Multiplication and Division by "powers of ten"

   Multiplication: What do you notice about the zeroes in the answer?	32 x 10 = 320 32 x 100 = 3200 32 x 0.1 = 3.2 32 x 0.01 = 0.32 32 x 0.001 = 0.032
   Division:   32 divided by 10 = 32/10 = 32 x 0.1 = 3.2	32 / 10 = 3.2 32 / 100 = 0.32 32 / 1000 = 0.032

    

2. Step 2: Conversion Factors

Conversion factors: The number (The factor) you need to multiply or divide by to CONVERT from one unit of measurement to another.

Example: Converting from centimeter to meter requires dividing by 100 and converting meter to centimeters requires multiplying by 100. Hence 100 is the conversion factor in these two scenarios.

Another way to look at it: There are 100 centimeters for every meter

100 cm per 1 m or

• Convert 4.5 meters to centimeters à (4.5 x 100 = 450) or (450cm / 100 = 4.5 m)

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2. Step 3: More conversion factors (not powers of ten)

   Conversion factors can be other numbers than ten. The metric system is based on powers of ten (a decimal system) but conversion factors are knows to help convert from other systems of measurement. Like 2.54 centimters is equal to 1 inch (2.54 cm = 1 inch). Therefore 2.54 is the conversion factor for centimeters to inches.

   There are 2.54 centimeters in every inch or 2.54 cm per 1 inch or

   3 inches = ?? centimeters.

   3inches x 2.54cm = 7.62 cm

    

3. Step 4: Practice….Practice….Practice…..Converting from different measurements. Notice similarities in units….Try these…

   1000 cubic centimeters = 1 liter (1.3 liters = _________ cubic centimeters)

   1 mile = 1.609 kilometers (3 miles = _____________ kilometers)

    

4. Step 5: Make or find a tool for conversions to avoid the $125 Million dollar mistake.

• chart or table (see worksheet)
• electronic spreadsheet (Excel)
• web based converters and tools

https://mste.illinois.edu/dildine/tcd_files/program15.htm

http://www.webmath.com/convert.html

http://mste.illinois.edu/dildine/tcd_files/program15.htm

http://www.webmath.com/convert.html