Grade: 3 Subject: Math Unit: Measurement Conversions Lesson: 5 of 7 SAT: ProblemSolving+DataAnalysis ACT: Math

Word Problems: Measurement Conversions

Learn

Measurement conversions are used in everyday life! Let's learn to solve word problems by identifying what we know and what we need to find.

Steps to Solve Conversion Word Problems

  1. Read the problem carefully
  2. Identify the units you have and the units you need
  3. Recall the conversion factor
  4. Decide whether to multiply or divide
  5. Calculate and include the correct units

Key Conversions to Remember

  • Time: 60 minutes = 1 hour, 24 hours = 1 day, 7 days = 1 week
  • Length (US): 12 inches = 1 foot, 3 feet = 1 yard
  • Length (Metric): 100 centimeters = 1 meter

Examples

Example 1: Time Conversion

"A movie is 150 minutes long. How many hours and minutes is that?"

Solution:

  • We need to convert minutes to hours
  • 60 minutes = 1 hour
  • 150 ÷ 60 = 2 remainder 30
  • Answer: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Example 2: Length Conversion

"Sarah needs 5 feet of ribbon. The store sells ribbon by the inch. How many inches does she need?"

Solution:

  • We need to convert feet to inches
  • 12 inches = 1 foot
  • Going from big to small = multiply
  • 5 × 12 = 60 inches

Practice

1. A race is 3 miles long. Each mile takes Jake 8 minutes to run. How many total minutes will the race take?

A) 11 minutes
B) 16 minutes
C) 24 minutes
D) 32 minutes

Answer

C) 24 minutes - 3 miles × 8 minutes per mile = 24 minutes.

2. Emma's desk is 36 inches wide. How many feet is that?

A) 2 feet
B) 3 feet
C) 4 feet
D) 24 feet

Answer

B) 3 feet - 36 inches ÷ 12 = 3 feet.

3. The school day is 7 hours long. How many minutes is that?

A) 70 minutes
B) 360 minutes
C) 420 minutes
D) 700 minutes

Answer

C) 420 minutes - 7 hours × 60 minutes = 420 minutes.

4. A garden is 6 yards long. How many feet is that?

A) 2 feet
B) 9 feet
C) 18 feet
D) 72 feet

Answer

C) 18 feet - 6 yards × 3 feet per yard = 18 feet.

5. Maria's vacation is 2 weeks long. How many days is that?

A) 7 days
B) 12 days
C) 14 days
D) 21 days

Answer

C) 14 days - 2 weeks × 7 days per week = 14 days.

6. A bookshelf is 4 feet tall. Tom wants to know how tall it is in inches. What is the height?

A) 16 inches
B) 36 inches
C) 48 inches
D) 52 inches

Answer

C) 48 inches - 4 feet × 12 inches = 48 inches.

7. The soccer practice lasted 90 minutes. How many hours and minutes is that?

A) 1 hour
B) 1 hour 15 minutes
C) 1 hour 30 minutes
D) 2 hours

Answer

C) 1 hour 30 minutes - 90 ÷ 60 = 1 hour with 30 minutes remaining.

8. A snake is 200 centimeters long. How many meters is that?

A) 2 meters
B) 20 meters
C) 100 meters
D) 2000 meters

Answer

A) 2 meters - 200 cm ÷ 100 = 2 meters.

9. Dad worked for 48 hours this week. How many days of 8-hour work is that?

A) 4 days
B) 5 days
C) 6 days
D) 8 days

Answer

C) 6 days - 48 hours ÷ 8 hours per day = 6 days.

10. The pool is 15 yards long. How many feet is that?

A) 5 feet
B) 18 feet
C) 45 feet
D) 180 feet

Answer

C) 45 feet - 15 yards × 3 feet per yard = 45 feet.

Next Steps

  • Practice identifying units in everyday situations
  • Try creating your own word problems
  • Continue to Common Mistakes