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Shop Essentials (Applied Mathematics)

Units of Measurement 112

The class Units of Measurement provides a thorough explanation of the English and Metric systems and how conversion between them occurs. The common base units of measurement are length, area, volume, mass, and temperature. The English system uses inches, feet, yards, and miles to measure length, while the Metric system uses the meter, millimeter, centimeter, and kilometer. Metric conversion requires simply knowing the equivalent number of units and moving the decimal point accordingly. When converting between Metric and English units, use a reference chart, multiply, or divide, depending on the conversion. Units of measurement are used every day in a production environment. Converting between units is often required, especially for businesses dealing internationally. After taking this class, users should be able to perform calculations involving common English units, metric units, and conversions between the two systems.

  • Difficulty Beginner

  • Format Online

  • Number of Lessons 17

  • Language English

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Course Outline
  • The English System
  • The Metric System
  • Common Base Units
  • Derived Units
  • The English System: Length
  • Converting from Inches to Feet
  • English Units of Length: Sample Problems
  • The Metric System: Length
  • Converting Metric Units of Length
  • Converting Length Between English and Metric
  • Converting Length from Feet to Meters and Centimeters to Inches
  • Converting Length from Metric to English
  • Area
  • Volume
  • Mass and Weight
  • Converting Between Metric and English Derived Units
  • Conversion Problems
Objectives
  • Identify common units in the English System.
  • Identify common units in the Metric System.
  • List common base units of measurement.
  • Describe derived units.
  • List common units of length for the English System.
  • Convert length measurements within the English System.
  • List common units of length for the Metric System.
  • Convert length measurements within the Metric System.
  • Explain how to convert length measurements between English and Metric.
  • Explain how to convert length from feet to meters and centimeters to inches.
  • Describe the characteristics of area.
  • Describe the characteristics of volume.
  • Describe the characteristics of mass and weight.
  • Explain how to convert between Metric and English derived units.
  • Convert between English and Metric measurements.
Glossary
Vocabulary Term
Definition

area

A measurement of the amount of space contained within a flat, enclosed shape. Area is measured with square feet in English and square meters in Metric.

base units

A unit of measurement that can be determined by taking one measurement without having to combine any other measurement. Length, mass, and temperature are examples of base units.

Celsius

A unit of temperature measurement in the Metric System. One degree Celsius is equal to 33.8 degrees Fahrenheit and 274.16 degrees Kelvin. Celsius is abbreviated as °C.

centimeter

A unit of length measurement in the Metric System. One centimeter is equal to 0.01 meters Metric and 0.394 inches English. A centimeter is abbreviated as cm.

cubic foot

A unit of volume measurement in the English System. One cubic foot is equal to 1728 cubic inches or 7.481 gallons English and 0.028 cubic meters Metric. A cubic foot is abbreviated as ft³.

cubic inch

A unit of volume measurement in the English System. One cubic inch is equal to 0.000578 cubic feet English and 16.387 cubic centimeters Metric. A cubic inch is abbreviated as in³.

cubic meter

A unit of volume measurement in the Metric System. One cubic meter is equal to 1 kiloliter Metric and 35.315 cubic feet English. A cubic meter is abbreviated as m³.

cubic yard

A unit of volume measurement in the English System. One cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet English and 0.765 cubic meters Metric. A cubic yard is abbreviated as yd³.

derived units

A measurement resulting from the combination of one or more base units. Area, volume, and speed are all derived units.

digital instrument

A measuring instrument that uses digital technology to provide measurement readings during inspection. Digital Instruments display measurements in both English and Metric.

English System

A system of measurements based on the inch, pound, and degrees Fahrenheit primarily used in the United States and England. It is also known in the United States as the U.S. Customary System.

Fahrenheit

A unit of temperature measurement in the English System. Fahrenheit is abbreviated as °F. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 0 degrees Celsius. Water boils at 212 degrees F, or 100 degrees C.

foot

A unit of linear measurement in the English System. One foot equals 12 inches English and 30.48 centimeters Metric. A foot is abbreviated as ft.

gallon

A unit of volume measurement in the U.S. Customary System. One gallon is equal to 16 cups or 0.134 cubic feet English and 3.785 liters Metric. A gallon is abbreviated as gal.

gram

A unit of mass measurement in the Metric System. One gram is equal to 0.001 kilograms Metric and 0.035 ounces English. A gram is abbreviated g.

inch

A small unit of linear measurement in the English System. One inch equals approximately 2.54 centimeters Metric. An inch is abbreviated as in.

International System of Units

An internationally recognized standard system of measurements based on the meter, kilogram, and degrees Kelvin, among others. It is commonly called the Metric System.

Kelvin

A unit of temperature measurement in the International System. One degree Kelvin is equal to -457.87 degrees Fahrenheit.and -272.15 degrees Celsius. Kelvin is abbreviated as °K.

kilogram

A unit of mass measurement in the Metric System. One Kilogram is equal to 1000 grams Metric and 2.205 pounds English. A kilogram is abbreviated as kg.

kiloliter

A unit of volume measurement in the Metric System. One kiloliter is equal to 1 cubic meter Metric and 35.315 cubic feet English. A kiloliter is abbreviated as kL.

kilometer

A unit of length measurement in the Metric System. One kilometer is equal to 1000 meters Metric and 0.621 miles English. A kilometer is abbreviated as km.

kilometers per hour

A derived unit that indicates speed in the Metric System, or how many kilometers an object travels in one hour. Kilometers per hour is calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the time elapsed. kilometers per hour is abbreviated as kph.

length

A measurement of distance from one point to another. Length is measured with inches and feet in English and meters in Metric.

liter

A unit of volume measurement in the Metric System. One liter is equal to 1000 milliliters Metric and 4.227 cups English. A liter is abbreviated as L.

mass

The amount of matter contained within an object. Mass gives an object weight when it is acted upon by gravity and is measured with Metric kilograms.

measurement

The act or process of measuring an object. Measurement occurs using units of measurement in either the English or Metric System.

meter

A unit of linear measurement in the Metric System. One meter is equal to 100 centimeters Metric and 3.281 feet English. A meter is abbreviated as m.

Metric System

An internationally recognized standard system of measurements based on the meter, kilogram, and degrees Celsius. It is also known as the International System of Units.

mile

A unit of linear measurement in the English System that is used for long distances. A mile equals 5,280 feet English and 1.609 kilometers Metric. A mile is abbreviated as mi.

miles per hour

A derived unit that indicates speed in the English System, or how many miles an object travels in one hour. Mph is calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the time elapsed. Miles per hour is abbreviated as mph.

milligram

A unit of mass measurement in the Metric System. One milligram is equal to 0.001 grams Metric and 0.0000353 ounces English. A milligram is abbreviated mg.

milliliter

A unit of volume measurement in the Metric System. One milliliter is equal to 0.001 liters Metric and 0.0610 cubic inches English. A milliliter is abbreviated as mL.

millimeter

A unit of length measurement in the Metric System. One millimeter is equal to 0.1 centimeters Metric and 0.039 inches English. A millimeter is abbreviated as mm.

ounce

A unit of weight measurement in the English system. One ounce is equal to 0.063 pounds English and 28.35 grams Metric. An ounce is abbreviated oz.

pound

A unit of weight or mass measurement in the English System. One pound is equal to 16 ounces English and 0.454 kilograms Metric. A pound is abbreviated as lb.

prefix

A segment added to the beginning of a word that indicates a particular meaning. Prefixes are attached to the beginning of a unit of a Metric measurement to indicate the specific power of ten.

rectangle

A parallelogram with four right angles. To find the area of a rectangle, multiply its length by its width.

second

A unit of measurement used to describe time and angles. There are 60 seconds in a minute, and 60 minutes in an hour or degree respectively.

SI

International System of Units. An internationally recognized standard system of measurements based on the meter, kilogram, and degrees Kelvin, among others. It is commonly called the Metric System.

speed

The amount of distance an object travels in a given period of time. Speed is measured in miles per hour English and kilometers per hour in Metric.

square

A parallelogram with four equal sides and four right angles. To find the area of a square, multiply its length by its width.

square centimeter

A unit of area measurement in the Metric System. One square centimeter is equal to 100 square millimeters Metric and 0.155 square inches English. A square centimeter is abbreviated as cm².

square foot

A unit of area measurement in the English System. One square foot is equal to 0.093 square meters Metric. A square foot is abbreviated as ft².

square inch

A unit of area measurement in the English System. One square inch is equal to 0.007 square feet English and 6.452 square centimeters Metric. A square inch is abbreviated as in².

square meter

A unit of area measurement in the Metric System. One square meter is equal to 10.764 square feet English. A square meter is abbreviated as m².

square millimeter

A unit of area measurement in the Metric System. One square millimeter is equal to 0.01 square centimeters Metric and 0.002 square inches English. A square millimeter is abbreviated as mm².

square yard

A unit of area measurement in the English System. One square yard is equal to 9 square feet English and 0.836 square meters Metric. A square yard is abbreviated as yd².

temperature

A measurement of the degree of the thermal energy in a substance. Temperature is measured in degrees Fahrenheit in English and degrees Celsius or Kelvin in Metric.

time

A measurement of how long an event takes to occur from start to finish. Time is measured in seconds, minutes, and hours.

ton

A unit of weight measurement in the English System. One ton is equal to 2000 pounds English and 907.185 kilograms Metric. A ton is abbreviated T.

U.S. Customary System

A standard system of measurements based on the inch, pound, and degrees Fahrenheit used in the United States. It is also known as the English System.

unit

A pre-determined quantity used as a measurement standard. One meter is a unit of length in the Metric System.

volume

A measurement of the amount of space contained within a three-dimensional space. Volume is measured in cubic feet or gallons in English and in liters or cubic meters in Metric.

weight

A measurement of the gravitational pull on an object on the earth's surface. Weight is expressed in English pounds.

yard

A unit of length measurement in the English System. One yard is equal to 3 feet English and 0.914 meters Metric. A yard is abbreviated as yd.