Solving Word Problems Involving Conversions

Solving Word Problems Involving Conversions

By LAARNE RAMOS

In this lesson, students can

​Solve multi-step, real world problems involving converting different-sized units.

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-can use measurement conversions to solve multi-step real world problems.​

-can explain how to convert different-sized units to find solutions to multi-step real world problems.​

Multiple Choice

Vernell put together a model train with 25 train cars. Each train car is 80 millimeters long. How many meters long is Vernell's model train if there are no gaps between the cars? (1 meter= 1,000 millimeters)

• 2,000 meters

• 200 meters

• 20 meters

• 2 meters

​1 meter= 1,000 millimeters

25 x 80 millimeters = 2,000 millimeters

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Converting SMALLER UNIT TO LARGER UNIT​ ( millimeter to meter), so we will divide:

2,000 millimeters ​÷ 1000 = 2 meters

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Multiple Choice

Ed solved puzzle 3⁄4 minute faster than Brett. Brett solved the puzzle in 135 seconds. How long did it take Ed to solve the puzzle? (1 minute= 60 seconds)

• 90 seconds or 1 1⁄2 minutes

• 45 seconds or 3⁄4 minute

• 180 seconds or 3 minutes

• 15 seconds or 1⁄4 minute

​1 minute = 60 seconds

Larger to smaller unit ( 3⁄4 minute to seconds)- Multiply

3⁄4 x 60 = 45; Ed solved the puzzle 45 seconds faster than Brett.​

135 seconds - 45 seconds = 90 seconds or 1 1⁄2 minutes

or

Smaller unit to larger unit (135 seconds to minute)- Divide

135⁄60 - 45⁄60 = 90⁄60 or 90 seconds or 1 1⁄2 minutes

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Multiple Choice

Mr. Wayne's class collected empty soda cans for a recycling project. Each of the students had to collect 40 cans. Each can has mass of 15 grams. How many kilograms of cans did the class collect to recycle? (1 kilogram=1,000 grams)

• 0.6 kilogram

• 12 kilograms

• 12,000 kilograms

• 120, 000 kilograms

​1 kilogram = 1,000 grams

40 cans x 20 ( each student)= 800 cans

800 cans x 15 (mass of each can)​ = 12,000 grams

​Convert grams to kilograms (smaller unit to larger unit- divide)

12, 000 ​÷ 1,000 = 12 kilograms

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Multiple Choice

Bennett exercises by lifting weights. He can lift 200 pounds 3 times without resting between lifts. Which equation shows a correct way to find the total number of ounces, n, he can lift without resting? (1 pound = 16 ounces)

• n = (200 x 3) ÷ 16

• n = (200 ÷ 16) x 3

• n = (200 x 3) x 16

• n = (16 ÷ 3) x 200

C is the correct answer because 200 pounds 3 times means 200 x 3 and that uses a larger-unit to smaller - unit conversion​ of pounds to ounces, which requires multiplication by 16.

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A and B are incorrect because pounds are larger units than ounces, so you should multiply 16, not divide by 16.​

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D is not correct because dividing the number of ounces in 1 pound by 3 before multiplying by 200 will result in an answer that will be 1/3 of the actual number of ounces.​

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Multiple Choice

A football field is marked every 5 yards. Garnett ran from the first mark to the eleventh mark. Which expression can you see to find the number of feet?

(1 yard = 3 feet)

• (10 x 5) ÷ 3

• (10 ÷ 5) ÷ 3

• (10 x 5) x 3

• 5 x 3

​1 yard = 3 feet

Multiply the difference of 11 and 1 ( which is 10) by 5 to find the number of yards. Then, multiply by 3 to convert yards to feet.

11 - 1 = (10 x 5 ​) x 3

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Fill in the Blank

Susan is stacking boxes on a shelf. Each box is shaped like a rectangular prism and has a length of 2 feet, a width of 15 inches and a height of 3 inches.

Susan will stack the boxes on top of each other and the space above the shelf is 1 1⁄2 yards high.

What is the greatest number of boxes that Susan can stack on the shelf?

1 yard = 36 inches

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Convert 1 ½ yards to inches.

Larger Unit to Smaller unit - Multiply​

1 ​½ x 36 (break apart the fraction)

1 x 36 = 36; ½​ x 36 = 18

Add the answers: 36 + 18 = 54 inches

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Divide the space above the shelf, 54 inches, by the height of each box, 3 inches. 54 ​÷ 3 = 18 boxes

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Part A:

Emma keeps track of the time she spends on a report each week.

Week 1: 1 1⁄2 hours research, 3⁄4 hour reading and 45 minutes outline

Week 2: 2 1⁄4 hours writing, 45 minutes editing and 1⁄2 hour on cover.

How much time did Emma spend on her report the first week?

Fill in the Blank

PART B:

Emma keeps track of the time she spends on a report each week.

Week 1: 1 1⁄2 hours research, 3⁄4 hour reading and 45 minutes outline

Week 2: 2 1⁄4 hours writing, 45 minutes editing and 1⁄2 hour on cover.

How much more time did Emma spend on the report the second week than she spent the first week?