Converting Customary Units for 5th Grade: Length, Weight, Capacity

Converting customary units (U.S. units) is used when measuring length, weight, and capacity. In Grade 5, students convert between inches and feet, feet and yards, ounces and pounds, cups and pints, and other customary units. Knowing the conversion factors—12 inches = 1 foot, 3 feet = 1 yard, 16 ounces = 1 pound—allows students to change from smaller to larger units (divide) or from larger to smaller units (multiply).

To convert from a smaller unit to a larger unit, divide by the conversion factor (e.g., 36 inches ÷ 12 = 3 feet). To convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply by the conversion factor (e.g., 4 yards × 3 = 12 feet).

DETAILED EXPLANATION

Length: 12 inches = 1 foot; 3 feet = 1 yard; 5,280 feet = 1 mile.

Weight: 16 ounces = 1 pound; 2,000 pounds = 1 ton.

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Capacity: 8 fluid ounces = 1 cup; 2 cups = 1 pint; 2 pints = 1 quart; 4 quarts = 1 gallon.

Smaller → Larger: divide. Larger → Smaller: multiply.

WORKED EXAMPLES WITH STEP BY STEP SOLUTIONS

Example 1

Convert 36 inches to feet.

Solutions:

Step 1: 1 foot = 12 inches. Since inches are smaller than feet, we divide.

Step 2: \(36 \div 12 = 3\).

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Step 3: 36 inches = 3 feet.

Answer: 3 feet

Example 2

Convert 4 yards to feet.

Solutions:

Step 1: 1 yard = 3 feet. Since yards are larger than feet, we multiply.

Step 2: \(4 \times 3 = 12\).

Step 3: 4 yards = 12 feet.

Answer: 12 feet

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Example 3

Convert 16 ounces to pounds.

Solutions:

Step 1: 1 pound = 16 ounces. Since ounces are smaller than pounds, we divide.

Step 2: \(16 \div 16 = 1\).

Step 3: 16 ounces = 1 pound.

Answer: 1 pound

Example 4

Convert 2 gallons to quarts.

Solutions:

Step 1: 1 gallon = 4 quarts. Multiply: \(2 \times 4 = 8\).

Answer: 8 quarts