National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015

Chapter 4: Rational Numbers

Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

Common Core State Standards

Common Core State Standards

7.RP.3 Use proportional relationships to solve multistep ratio and percent problems. Examples:
simple interest, tax, markups and markdowns, gratuities and commissions, fees, percent
increase and decrease, percent error.
7.NS.2 Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division and of fractions to
multiply and divide rational numbers.
7.NS.3 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving the four operations with rational
numbers.

Mathematical Practices 1, 3, and 4 are aspects of mathematical thinking that are emphasized in every
lesson. Students are given opportunities to be persistent in their problem solving, to express their
reasoning, and apply mathematics to realworld situations.
Exercise 13, 14, and 16 focus on Mathematical Practice 1 Make sense of problems and persevere in
solving them.
Exercises 15 focuses on Mathematical Practice 3 Construct viable arguments and critique the
reasoning of others.
Exercises 17-20 focus on Mathematical Practice 6 Attend to precision.
Exercise 21 focuses on Mathematical Practice 4 Model with mathematics.
Exercise 30 focuses on Mathematical Practice 5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

1 Launch the Lesson

Focus narrowing the scope

Objective Convert units of measure between the customary and metric systems. 7.RP.3, 7.NS.2,
7.NS.3

Coherence connecting within and across grades

Previous Now Next
Students multiplied fractions and Students will convert between Students will divide fractions and
mixed numbers. measurement systems. mixed numbers.

Rigor pursuing concepts, fluency, and applications

See the Levels of Complexity chart in the Practice and Apply section.

As students enter the classroom, have them complete the Common Core Quick Check to review and
assess the skills presented in the previous lesson.

Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Ideas for Use
You may wish to launch the lesson using a whole group, small group, think-pair-share activity, or
independent activity.

Think-Pair-Solo Give students one minute to think through their responses to

Exercises 1–3. Then have them complete Exercises 1 and 2 with a partner. Have them complete
Exercise 3 individually. Upon completion, have them share their responses with their partner and
discuss and resolve any differences. 1, 7
Alternate Strategy
Have students use the Internet or another source to look up about how many feet are in
one meter. Then have them describe two different ways to determine the approximate number of feet in
a 5K race. 1, 6

Use the video 5K Race with the opening activity.

Resources
Common Core Quick Check: Convert Between Systems
Lesson Video: "5K Race"

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

2 Teach the Concept

Focus: Mathematical Background

Unit ratios are used to convert units between the customary and metric systems. The unit ratio (or
conversion factor) is the number of units in the system to which the value is being converted per unit of
the system from which the value is.

For classroom presentation, use the Step-by-Step Examples to demonstrate the examples from the
Student Edition.

Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Ask the scaffolded questions for each example to differentiate instruction.

1. Convert measurements.

From which unit to which unit are we converting? from inches to centimeters
Are you converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit or from a larger unit to a smaller unit? from a
larger unit to a smaller unit

About how many centimeters are in 1 inch? 1 in. 2.54 cm

What unit rate should we multiply by?

Why do we use the symbol? because the conversion is an approximation

Need Another Example?
Convert 7.13 miles to kilometers. Round to the nearest hundredth. 11.48 km

2. Convert measurements.

From which unit to which unit are we converting? from kilometers to miles
Are you converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit or from a larger unit to a smaller unit? from a
smaller unit to a larger unit

About how many kilometers are in 1 mile? 1 mi 1.61 km

What unit rate should we multiply by?

Why did we put kilometers in the denominator of the unit rate? to divide out the units in kilometers, so
that we obtain the measurement in miles
Need Another Example?
Convert 925.48 grams to pounds. Round to the nearest hundredth. 2.04 lb

3. Convert measurements.

From which unit to which unit are we converting? from milliliters to cups

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

About how many milliliters are in one cup? 1 cup 236.59 mL

How do you know that your answer is reasonable? use estimation; 800 ÷ 200 = 4
Need Another Example?
Convert 5.5 gallons to liters. Round to the nearest hundredth. 20.85 L

4. Convert measurements.

From which unit to which unit are we converting? from quarts to milliliters

About how many milliliters are in one quart? 1 quart 946.35 mL

How do you know that your answer is reasonable? use estimation; 3 × 900 = 2,700
Need Another Example?
Convert 5,575 milliliters to pints. Round to the nearest hundredth. 11.78 pt

5. Convert measurements.

From which unit to which unit are we converting? from kilograms to pounds

About how many kilograms are in one pound? 1 lb 0.4536 kg

How do you know that your answer is reasonable? use estimation: 4 ÷ 0.5 = 8
Need Another Example?
Convert 180 pounds to kilograms. Round to the nearest hundredth. 81.65 kg

6. Convert between measurement systems.

Which is greater, one meter or one foot? one meter

About how many meters are equal to one foot? 1 foot 0.30 m

What unit rate should we use?

Estimate 0.3 to a common fraction. About how many feet are in one meter? 0.3 ; There are about 3

feet in one meter.

About how many yards long is an Olympic-size swimming pool? Explain how you got your answer.
about 55.6 yards in 166.67 feet; Divide the total number of feet by 3 because there are 3 feet in each
yard.
Need Another Example?
Pike’s Peak in Colorado rises to a height of about 4,233 meters above sea level. About how many
feet high is Pike’s Peak? about 14,110 ft

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

Alternate Teaching Strategy

If students have trouble converting units of measure between the customary and metric systems,
Then use one of these reteach options:
1. Quick Review Math Handbook, p. 351
2. Have students write and solve proportions to convert units between systems. For example, to convert
300 meters to feet, write and solve the following proportion:

0.30x 300, so x 1,000

So, there are about 1,000 feet in 300 meters.

Formative Assessment Use these exercises to assess students' understanding of the concepts in
this lesson.

If some of your students are not ready for assignments, use the differentiated activities
below.
Pairs Stray Have students complete Exercises 1–6 with a partner. Then have one of the
students stray to team up with a stray student from another pair. Students should check results and
compare methods. Students will return to their original partner to finalize answers. Have each pair
report their results to the class. 1, 7
Pairs Consult Have students work with pairs to convert each of Exercises 1–5 using a
different measurement unit, other than the one given in each exercise. Have them use this to check
their result for the original given conversion. For example, in Exercise 1, students could convert 3.7
yards to centimeters. Then have them use their conversion in centimeters to convert back to meters to
check their original conversion in meters. 1, 7

Teach with Tech

Class Blog Have students research British (Imperial) measures. Post these measures and their
customary and metric counterparts on the class Web site. Have students blog about the differences
and how they would adjust for these differences when converting to customary units or metric units.
Resources
Virtual Manipulatives
Convert Measurements
Convert Measurements
Convert Measurements
Convert Measurements
Convert Measurements
Real-World Example: Convert Between Measurement Systems
Convert Between Measurement Systems
Convert Between Systems
Convert Measurements Between Systems
Real-World Example: Convert Between Systems
eToolkit
Hot Topic 7-2

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

3 Practice & Apply

Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Independent Practice and Extra Practice
The Independent Practice pages are meant to be used as the homework assignment. The Extra
Practice page can be used for additional reinforcement or as a second-day assignment.

Levels of Complexity
The levels of the exercises progress from 1 to 3, with Level 1 indicating the lowest level of complexity.

Suggested Assignments
You can use the table below that includes exercises of all complexity levels to select appropriate
exercises for your students' needs.
Differentiated Homework Options

Approaching Level 1–13, 15, 17–21, 35, 36

On Level 1–11 odd, 12–15, 17–21, 35, 36

Beyond Level 12–21, 35, 36

can provide additional remediation support with personalized instruction and

practice.
Create Your Own Homework Online
eSolutionsManual™ can be used to create worksheets for the suggested assignments above, or to
create your own worksheets for differentiated homework or review.

The following worksheets are also available for additional homework practice:
The Skills Practice editable worksheet provides students with additional practice in the skills taught in
this lesson.
The Homework Practice editable worksheet helps students practice skills in this lesson and use those
skills to solve problems.
The Problem-Solving Practice editable worksheet helps students become better problem solvers by
providing frequent opportunities to solve real-world problems.
The Extra Practice worksheet provides additional practice for the skills taught in this lesson.

The Step-by-Step Solutions provide a worked out solution for selected exercises from the
Independent Practice in the Student Edition.

Common Error Students might multiply by the unit ratio instead of multiplying by its reciprocal when
necessary. Remind students that they must divide out the common units to perform conversions

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

correctly.
Resources
Step by Step Solutions: Convert Between Systems
Skills Practice: Convert Between Systems
Skills Practice Answers: Convert Between Systems
Homework Practice: Convert Between Systems
Homework Practice Answers: Convert Between Systems
Problem-Solving Practice: Convert Between Systems
Problem-Solving Practice Answers: Convert Between Systems
Extra Practice: Convert Between Systems
Extra Practice Answers, Chapter 4
Homework Practice: Convert Between Systems
Problem-Solving Practice: Convert Between Systems
Skills Practice: Convert Between Systems
Extra Practice: Convert Between Systems
eSolutions, Glencoe Math Course 2

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

Additional Activities for Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated Instruction activities for Approaching Level, On Level, and Beyond Level Learners can
also be found at point-of-use in the Launch the Lesson and Teach the Concept sections. The following
are additional activities that can be used with this lesson.

Option 1: Visual/Spatial Learners Have students examine various measuring tools that show
both customary and metric units. Ask comparison questions such as: Which is larger, an inch or a
centimeter? Which is smaller, a cup or a milliliter? Point out that knowing these relationships can
help students check their work in this lesson: when converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit
there will always be more of the smaller unit; when converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit
there will always be fewer of the larger unit.

The Reteach Worksheet provides additional examples and practice for students who may have
difficulty in grasping the math concepts in this lesson.

Option 2: Naturalistic Learners Have students measure the base length and height of an object
in nature, such as a rock. Have them convert their measurements to metric measure. Then have
them take a photo of their object and prepare a poster to display to the class. Posters should
include the photo of the object with the measurements taken labeled clearly, along with the
conversion calculations.
As an extension, students may wish to examine other properties of rocks, such as granularity or
density, and what sort of measurements would be taken to describe these properties.

Option 3: Logical Learners Have students find the average distance from Mars to the Sun
(227,940,000 kilometers). Tell students that astronomers use a unit of length called the
astronomical unit (AU) which is equal to the average distance from Earth to the Sun. Have
students research the astronomical unit on the Internet, find its relationship to kilometers, and
convert the average distance from Mars to the Sun to astronomical units. 1 AU = 149,597,871 km;
The average distance from Mars to the Sun is approximately 1.52 AU.

The Enrich Worksheet provides students with valuable opportunities for extending this lesson.
Resources
Reteach: Convert Between Systems
Reteach Answers: Convert Between Systems
Enrich: More Measurement Relationships
Enrich Answers: More Measurement Relationships
Reteach: Convert Between Systems
Enrich: More Measurement Relationships

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

Additional Activities for English Learners

Differentiated Instruction activities for English Learners can also be found at point-of-use in the Launch
the Lesson and Teach the Concept sections. The following are additional activities that can be used
with this lesson.

Option 1: Use Chapter 4, Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems from the Interactive Guide for
English Learners.

Option 2: Verbal/Linguistic Learners Have students make a resource sheet showing the
relationship between customary and metric measures of length, weight/mass, and capacity. Have
them include unit names and abbreviations. Have them write notes about mathematical
expressions for converting procedures below the chart.
After students have completed their notes, ask them to explain their notes to a partner.
Resources
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Student Edition, Course 2, Lesson 4-7: Convert Between Systems
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Teacher Edition, Course 2, Lesson 4-7: Convert Between Systems
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Course 2, Teacher Edition
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Course 2, Student Edition
Visual Kinesthetic Vocabulary, Course 2, Student Edition
Visual Kinesthetic Vocabulary, Course 2, Teacher Edition

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

Assessment

Formative Assessment
Use this activity as a closing formative assessment before dismissing students from your class.
Have students write about how their work with multiplying fractions helped them
with this lesson. See students' work.

The online Self-Check Quiz for this lesson allows students to review concepts from each lesson.

Exercises 35 and 36 prepare students for more rigorous thinking needed when taking the CCSS
assessment.
35.
This test item requires students to explain and apply mathematical concepts and
solve problems with precision, while making use of structure.

Depth of Knowledge DOK1

CCSS Content Standard 7.NS.2, 7.NS.3

Mathematical Practices MP1, MP6

Online Experience Students will click on the bubbles to select all

correct answers.

Scoring Rubric

1 point Students correctly answer the question.

36.
This test item requires students to support their reasoning or evaluate the reasoning
of others by justifying their response and constructing arguments.

Depth of Knowledge DOK3

CCSS Content Standard 7.NS.2, 7.NS.3

Mathematical Practices MP1, MP3, MP6

Online Experience Students will be required to type their

responses in the boxes.

Scoring Rubric

3 points Students correctly answer each part.

2 points Students correctly order the animals, have few

errors in the weights, and may or may not have a
full explanation OR students incorrectly order the
animals and have incorrect weights but have a
full explanation.

1 point Students correctly order and give the

weights of the animals, but do not correctly

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

complete the rest of the question OR students

give an accurate explanation, but fail to correctly
complete the remainder.
Quick Check
Are students continuing to struggle with converting between systems?
If Yes
Reteach Worksheet
Differentiated Instruction Option 1
If No
Skills Practice Worksheet
Differentiated Instruction Option 2
Enrich Worksheet
Differentiated Instruction Option 3

Resources
Self-Check Quiz: Convert Between Systems

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 4: Rational Numbers
Lesson 7: Convert Between Systems

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