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Converting Inches and Feet

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Converting Inches and Feet
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.1

Basics on the topic Converting Inches and Feet

Zuri and Freddie have some magic fabric and some instructions to make superhero costumes! However, their sewing instructions want them to convert inches and feet! Let's help Zuri and Freddie by converting inches to feet and converting feet to inches!

Transcript Converting Inches and Feet

"All right Zuri, I think we have everything we need to make the superhero costumes." "I can KNOT believe you found that magic fabric just sitting there!" "Just one thing, it SEAMS like the sewing instructions are explaining the steps using inches AND feet." Let's help Zuri and Freddie make their superhero costumes by Converting Inches and Feet. When we measure length, width, or height, we can measure using inches and feet. An inch is a small unit of length. When we write inches, we can abbreviate using the letters . We can use inches to measure smaller objects, like this piece of cheese. A foot is a unit of length that is larger than an inch. When we write feet, we can abbreviate using the letters . We use feet to measure larger objects, like this refrigerator. When we measure with inches and feet we can use a ruler or measuring tape. Sometimes we need to convert, or change, FEET to INCHES and INCHES to FEET. One foot is equal to twelve inches, and twelve inches is equal to one foot. We can use a ratio table to help us write our conversions. To set up the ratio table, first label feet on one side and inches on the other. One foot is TWELVE TIMES bigger than one inch. That means to convert FEET to INCHES, we multiply by twelve. Write times twelve next to the foot we are converting and solve. One times twelve is twelve, so there are twelve inches in one foot. Zuri and Freddie need to convert the first piece of fabric, which is three feet long, to inches. Write three under the feet column HERE. How many inches is three feet? Remember, one foot is twelve inches, so we multiply three TIMES twelve. Three times twelve is thirty-six, so they need thirty-six inches of the magic fabric. The next piece of fabric is sixty INCHES long, this time they need to convert inches to feet. How can we do this? We can solve for feet by using the INVERSE, or OPPOSITE, operation. The inverse operation of multiplication is division, so we DIVIDE sixty inches by twelve. What is sixty divided by twelve? Sixty divided by twelve is five. That means they need five feet of the magic fabric. While Zuri and Freddie finish making their costumes, let's remember. Sometimes we need to convert, or change, FEET to INCHES and INCHES to FEET. One foot is equal to twelve inches, and twelve inches is equal to one foot. We can use a ratio table to help us write our conversions. To set up the ratio table, first label feet on one side and inches on the other. Finally, multiply by twelve to convert feet to inches or divide by twelve to convert inches to feet.

"These superhero costumes are awesome, check this out Zuri!"

"Yeah Freddie, they're SUPER!"

"I guess my superpower is going to be VERYYY useful!"

Converting Inches and Feet exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learned? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Converting Inches and Feet.
  • Would we measure these items in inches or feet?

    Hints

    Smaller objects are measured in inches and larger objects are measured in feet.

    This banana is small so it will be measured using inches.

    This table is large and will be measured using feet.

    Solution
    • The can is small so it is measured using inches.
    • The apple core is small so it is measured using inches.
    • The sofa is large so it is measured using feet.
    • The lamp is large so it is measured using feet.
    • The pole vault is large so it is measured using feet.
  • How do we convert 3 feet to inches?

    Hints

    This image shows how to convert 5 feet to inches.

    Remember, when converting inches to feet we divide by 12 and when converting feet to inches we multiply by 12.

    Solution

    36 is correct because when converting feet to inches we multiply to amount of feet by 12 because 1 foot is 12 inches. 3 feet times 12 will give the correct number of inches.

  • Complete the conversions.

    Hints

    When converting inches to feet we divide by 12 and when converting feet to inches we multiply by 12.

    Example: 2 feet = 24 inches

    2 x 12 = 24

    Example: 24 inches = 2 feet

    24 $\div$ 12 = 2

    Solution
    • 7 feet = 84 inches (7x12 = 84)
    • 48 inches = 4 feet (36 $\div$ 12 = 3)
    • 72 inches = 6 feet (72 $\div$ 12 = 6).
    • 9 feet = 108 inches (9 x 12 = 108)
  • Which conversions are correct?

    Hints

    Try using a ratio chart to help you find the correct statements.

    When converting inches to feet we divide by 12 and when converting feet to inches we multiply by 12.

    Solution

    The correct conversions are:

    • 10 feet x 12 = 120 inches
    • 12 inches $\div$ 12 = 1 foot
    • 48 inches $\div$12 = 4 feet

  • Complete the list of steps by filling in the blanks.

    Hints

    Read the sentences carefully and start with the ones you know.

    When converting inches to feet we divide by 12 and when converting feet to inches we multiply by 12.

    Solution
    1. There are twelve inches in one foot.
    2. To convert feet to inches, multiply the amount of feet by twelve.
    3. To convert inches to feet, divide the amount of inches by twelve.
    4. There are 12 inches in 1 foot.
  • Compare the measurements.

    Hints

    Using a conversion chart can help to find the correct conversions.

    > greater than ex. 5 > 3

    < less than ex. 7 < 9

    4 feet = 48 inches

    Any amount of inches over 48 inches is greater than 4 feet.

    Solution

    4 feet is the same as 48 inches, so:

    • 60 inches > 4 feet
    • 52 inches > 4 feet
    • 3 feet < 4 feet
    • 40 inches < 4 feet
    • 48 inches = 4 feet