This document outlines a 5-step method for converting units of measure: 1) rewrite the problem leaving out numbers, 2) write conversion factors, 3) multiply to solve one side of the equation, 4) multiply both sides of the equation equally, and 5) solve the equation. An example problem converts 4 meters to centimeters and another converts 60 inches to feet using this method.

1. Converting Units of
Measure
A 5 Step Method

2. The 5 Steps
1. Go down low
2. Show what you know
3. Work your way up
4. What you do to one side, do to the other side
5. Solve

3. Sample Problem
4 m = __ cm

4. 1: Go down low
Rewrite the problem below the original problem,
leaving out the numbers.
4 m = __ cm
__ m = __ cm

5. 2: Show what you know
Write a “1” next to the larger unit of measure.
Fill in the blanks with the conversion fact you
have memorized.
4 m = __ cm
1 m = 100 cm

6. 3. Work your way up
Draw an arrow on both sides of the equation.
What number must you multiply to the bottom
number to get the top number?
4 m = __ cm
x4
1 m = 100 cm

7. 4. What you do to one side, do to
the other
Draw an arrow on both sides of the equation.
What number must you multiply to the bottom
number to get the top number?
4 m = __ cm
x4 x4
1 m = 100 cm

8. 5. Solve
Draw an arrow on both sides of the equation.
What number must you multiply to the bottom
number to get the top number?
100 x 4 = 400
4 m = 400 cm
__
x4 x4
1 m = 100 cm

9. Sample Problem
60 in. = __ ft.

10. 1: Go down low
Rewrite the problem below the original problem,
leaving out the numbers.
60 in. = __ ft.
__ in. = __ ft.

11. 2: Show what you know
Write a “1” next to the larger unit of measure.
Fill in the blanks with the conversion fact you
have memorized.
60 in. = __ ft.
12 in. = 1 ft

12. 3. Work your way up
Draw an arrow on both sides of the equation.
What number must you multiply to the bottom
number to get the top number?
60 in. = __ ft.
x5
12 in. = 1 ft

13. 4. What you do to one side, do to
the other
Draw an arrow on both sides of the equation.
What number must you multiply to the bottom
number to get the top number?
60 in. = __ ft.
x5 x5
12 in. = 1 ft

14. 5. Solve
Draw an arrow on both sides of the equation.
What number must you multiply to the bottom
number to get the top number?
1x5=5
5
60 in. = __ ft.
x5 x5
12 in. = 1 ft