Introduction to Customary Units of Measurement
In customary measurement system length, capacity, and weight are measured.
Units for length: inches, feet, yards, and miles
Units for capacity: fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons
Units for weight: ounces, pounds, and tons
Why convert units of measurement? It is necessary to convert various units of measurement when a specific unit (other than its current unit) is desired. There are several situations in which someone may need to convert units of measurement. Here are some examples.
- cooking or baking
- buying food at a grocery store
- installing doors and windows
- building a house
- tracking distance from one place to another
- measuring body height
- weighing body
What do you know about customary units of measurement? How do measurements of length, capacity, and weight play a role in your life? Test your knowledge in these activities.
1. Match each object to the customary system of measurement.
2. Now match each object with the most appropriate unit of measurement.
1. ketchup ___________________
2. bowling ball ______________
3. window ____________________
4. lunchmeat _________________
5. water bottle ______________
6. flagpole __________________
3. Units come in all sizes.
Some units are much smaller: inches, fluid ounces, cups, ounces
Some units are a little bigger: feet, yards, pints, quarts, pounds
Some units are much larger: miles, gallons, tons
A. When do you think it is most appropriate to use smaller units of measurement?
B. When do you think it is most appropriate to use larger units of measurement?
5. In the beginning of this lesson, an important question was asked. "How do measurements of length, capacity, and weight play a role in your life?"Now, answer this question based on your personal experiences of being exposed to measurements in certain units of measurement and why it may be necessary to convert these measurements into different units.
4. Lastly, write down two objects from the chart that can be measured in customary units of length, capacity, and weight.
Length:
1.__________________
2.__________________
Capacity:
1.__________________
2.__________________
Weight:
1.__________________
2.__________________
Refer to these objects and measurements in the following lessons of Unit 1.