5th grade · Math · Unit 9 of 15
Converting Units
Inches to feet, grams to kilograms
What your child practices
Converting between units in the US customary and metric systems (both ways, including decimals) and using conversions in multi-step problems.
New York State Learning Standards learning standard: NY-5.MD.1 · converting between units in one measurement system and using conversions in multi-step problems
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Big unit to small unit: multiply. Small unit to big unit: divide.
- Know the facts: 12 in = 1 ft, 16 oz = 1 lb, 4 qt = 1 gal, 100 cm = 1 m, 1000 g = 1 kg.
- Change to the same unit before you add or subtract.
Example: A rope is 4 yards long. How many feet is that? 1 yard = 3 feet. 4 × 3 = 12. Answer: 12 feet
Converting Units in New York
In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 9 of 15 in 5th grade Math, after Parallel Lines and Quadrilaterals and before Parentheses & Expressions.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
How many ounces is 3 pounds 2 ounces?
- 66
- 32
- 48
- 5
- 50
50
Hint: 3 × 16 = 48. Then add 2.
Question 2
4500 grams is how many kilograms?
answer boxkilograms
4.5 kilograms
Hint: Divide by 1000: move the decimal point.
Question 3
How many ounces are in 7 pounds?
- 96
- 23
- 112
- 1120
- 128
112
Hint: 1 pound = 16 ounces. Multiply: 7 × 16.
Question 4
A punch bowl holds 3 quarts. How many 1-cup servings is that?
- 48
- 12
- 24
- 6
- 15
12
Hint: 1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups. 3 × 4.
Question 5
12 quarts is how many gallons?
- 30
- 3
- 6
- 5
- 48
3
Hint: 4 quarts make 1 gallon. Divide: 12 ÷ 4.
Question 6
A ribbon is 5 meters long. How many 25 cm pieces can be cut from it?
- 200
- 17
- 19
- 20
- 125
20
Hint: 5 m = 500 cm. Then 500 ÷ 25.