3.3.3: Conversion of Customary Length, Weight, and Capacity Applications

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Convert Customary Units of Measurement in Real-World Situations

Evana is making a recipe for fruit punch that uses 3 cups of pineapple juice. If she makes 5 batches of the recipe, how many quarts of pineapple juice will she need?

In this concept, you will learn to convert customary units of measurement in real-world situations.

Customary System

The customary system, also known as the Imperial System, is made up of units such as inches, feet, cups, gallons and pounds. Let’s look at conversions within the customary system of measurement.

Customary Units of Measurement

Let’s look at an example.

The distance from John’s house to Mike’s house on a map is 4.5 inches. The scale of the map is 1.5 inches=2 miles. What is the actual distance from John’s house to Mike’s house in feet?

First, set up a proportion.

(1.5 inches)/(2 miles)=(4.5 inches)/(x miles)

Next, cross multiply.

1.5/2=4.5/x

1.5x=2×4.5

1.5x=9

Then, divide both sides by 1.5 to solve for x.

1.5x=9

1.5x/1.5=9/1.5

x=6

Then, if the actual distance is 6 miles, what is this distance in feet.

1 mile/5280 feet=6 miles/x feet

Then, cross multiply to solve for x .

1/5280=6/x

1x=6×5280

x=31,680

The answer is 31,680.

The distance between the two houses is 31,680 feet.

Examples

Example 3.3.3.1

Earlier, you were given a problem about Evana and her thirsty conversion.

Evana needs to make 5 batches with each batch needing 3 cups of juice. She needs to find the total amount of juice in quarts.

Solution

First, find the total number of cups she needs. If there are 3 cups in one batch, and she is making 5 batches, then she will need:

3×5=15 cups

Next, set up a proportion.

4 cups/1 quart=15 cups/x quarts

Then, cross multiply.

4/1=15/x

4x=1×15

4x=15

Then, divide both sides by 4 to solve for x.

4x=15

4x/4=15/4

x=3.75
The answer is 3.75.

Evana needs to make 3.75 quarts of punch.

Example 3.3.3.2

A scale model of a building has a height of 3.5 feet. The scale of the model is 112 inch=10 feet. What is the actual height of the building?

Solution

First, set up a proportion to find the height in inches.

12 inches/1 foot=x inches/3.5 feet

Next, cross multiply to solve for x.

12/1=x/3.5

1x=12×3.5

x=42

The answer is 42.

The scale model is 42 inches high.

Then, set up a proportion to solve for the actual height of the building.

1.5 inches/10 feet=42 inches/x feet

Then, cross multiply.

1.5/10=42/x

1.5x=10×42

1.5x=420

Then, divide both sides by 1.5 in order to solve for x.

1.5x=420

1.5x/1.5=420/1.5

x=280
The answer is 280.

The building is 280 feet tall.

Example 3.3.3.3

Karin has a recipe that calls for 3 gallons of cider. How many quarts will she need?

Solution

First, set up a proportion.

1 gallon/4 quarts=3 gallons/x quarts

Next, cross multiply to solve for x.

1/4=3/x

1x=3×4

x=12
The answer is 12.

Karin will need 12 quarts of cider.

Example 3.3.3.4

Jack threw the ball 12 feet. How many inches did he throw the ball?

Solution

First, set up a proportion.

1 foot/12 inches=12 feet/x inches

Next, cross multiply to solve for x.

1/12=12/x

1x=12×12

x=144
The answer is 144.

Jack threw the ball 144 inches.

Example 3.3.3.5

Carl drank 3 pints of lemonade. How many ounces did he drink?

Solution

First, set up a proportion.

1 pint/16 ounces=3 pints/x ounces

Next, cross multiply to solve for x.

1/16=3/x

1x=16×3

x=48
The answer is 48.

Carl drank 48 ounces of lemonade.

Review

Solve each problem.

Justin ran 3 miles. How many feet did he run?
If the flour weighed four pounds, how many ounces did it weigh?
How many pounds is equal to 4 tons?
Mary needs 3 cups of juice for a recipe. How many ounces does she need?
Jess bought 3 quarts of pineapple juice. How many pints did she purchase?
If Karen bought 16 quarts of ice cream, how many gallons did she buy?
The length of the garden is four yards. How many feet is that?
If the width of the garden is 4 yards, how many inches is that?
Will eight cups of water fit in a two quart saucepan?
A recipe calls for 2 pints of milk. If Jorge cuts the recipe in half, how many cups of milk will he need?
Audrey is making brownies for a bake sale. The recipe calls for 8 ounces of flour for every 24 brownies. If she makes 96 brownies, how many pounds of flour will she need?
Two buildings are 5 inches apart on a map. The scale on the map is 14 inch=1 mile. What is the actual distance between the two buildings?
The length of a classroom on a floor plan is 2.5 inches. The scale of the map is 12 inches=5 feet What is the actual length of the classroom in inches?
A scale model of a mountain is 2.75 feet tall. The scale of the model is 14 inch=50 feet What is the actual height of the mountain in feet?
A scale drawing of a town includes a park that measures 0.5 inch by 1.5 inches. If the scale of the map is 0.5 inches=1 mile, what is the area of the park in square feet?

Review (Answers)

To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 4.13.

Vocabulary

Term	Definition
Customary System	The customary system is the measurement system commonly used in the United States, including: feet, inches, pounds, cups, gallons, etc.
Measurement	A measurement is the weight, height, length or size of something.
Proportion	A proportion is an equation that shows two equivalent ratios.
Ratio	A ratio is a comparison of two quantities that can be written in fraction form, with a colon or with the word “to”.

Additional Resources

PLIX Interactive: The Price of a Unit

Video:

Practice: Conversion of Customary Length, Weight, and Capacity Applications