In this Grade 8 Saxon Math Course 3 lesson, students learn how to use unit multipliers — ratios of equivalent measures in different units — to convert measurements such as inches to feet or minutes to hours by canceling units. Students also practice converting mixed-unit measures like 6 ft 3 in. or 7 min 30 sec into single-unit expressions as fractions or decimals. The lesson is part of Chapter 6 and builds foundational skills in dimensional analysis and measurement conversion.
Section 1
📘 Using Unit Multipliers to Convert Measures
A unit multiplier is a ratio in which the numerator and denominator are equivalent measures but different units. Since 12 inches equal one foot, we can write these two unit multipliers for that relationship.
Next, we'll apply this tool to convert length, time, and volume, and even tackle mixed units like feet and inches.
Section 2
Using unit multipliers to convert measures
A unit multiplier is a ratio in which the numerator and denominator are equivalent measures but different units. Because the measures are equivalent, the ratio is equal to 1. For the relationship between feet and inches, we can write two unit multipliers:
Think of a unit multiplier as a clever form of '1'. You're not changing the value, just swapping units! Pick the fraction that puts the unit you want to ditch on the bottom, so it cancels out and leaves you with the unit you need. It’s like a magic trick for measurements.
Section 3
Converting mixed-unit to single-unit measures
To express a mixed-unit measurement like height in a single unit, convert the smaller unit into a fraction or decimal of the larger unit. For example, to convert 6 ft 3 in. to feet:
Stop juggling two different units! To simplify a measurement like 'feet and inches,' turn the smaller part into a fraction of the bigger one. Then, just add it to the whole number part for a clean, single-unit answer. It makes calculations so much easier when everything speaks the same language.
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Section 1
📘 Using Unit Multipliers to Convert Measures
A unit multiplier is a ratio in which the numerator and denominator are equivalent measures but different units. Since 12 inches equal one foot, we can write these two unit multipliers for that relationship.
Next, we'll apply this tool to convert length, time, and volume, and even tackle mixed units like feet and inches.
Section 2
Using unit multipliers to convert measures
A unit multiplier is a ratio in which the numerator and denominator are equivalent measures but different units. Because the measures are equivalent, the ratio is equal to 1. For the relationship between feet and inches, we can write two unit multipliers:
Think of a unit multiplier as a clever form of '1'. You're not changing the value, just swapping units! Pick the fraction that puts the unit you want to ditch on the bottom, so it cancels out and leaves you with the unit you need. It’s like a magic trick for measurements.
Section 3
Converting mixed-unit to single-unit measures
To express a mixed-unit measurement like height in a single unit, convert the smaller unit into a fraction or decimal of the larger unit. For example, to convert 6 ft 3 in. to feet:
Stop juggling two different units! To simplify a measurement like 'feet and inches,' turn the smaller part into a fraction of the bigger one. Then, just add it to the whole number part for a clean, single-unit answer. It makes calculations so much easier when everything speaks the same language.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter