The document provides an introduction to measurement systems, explaining the key differences between the standard (customary) and metric systems, as well as giving examples of how to read a ruler and convert between the systems. It outlines the steps for using both the standard and metric rulers and provides examples of converting between the units of each system.

1. Introduction to Measurement
Developing Standard and Metric
Measuring Skills

2. Why Learn to Measure?
Valuable skill for a
job
Valuable skill for hobbies
Valuable skill for everyday life

3. Measurement Systems
Two types of measurement systems.
Standard (Customary)
Based on Whole Numbers and Fractional
parts of
Metric (International System)
Based on the number 10 (Power of 10)

4. Background Information
–All countries have adopted the metric
system, including the United States.
However, in nearly all countries people
still use traditional units.
–For a country to switch to metric is a
process that happens over time. Only 3
countries in the world, have not officially
adopted metric as their primary system
of measuring.

5. Background Information
Three countries have not officially adopted the International System of Units
as their primary or sole system of measurement: Liberia, Myanmar, and the
United States.
United States
Myanmar
(formly known
as Burma)
Liberia (Settled by
free-men and former
enslaved blacks after
America’s Civil war.

6. Background – United States
• The U. S. has switched to Metric with
– Sporting Events - Olympics
– Military
– Medicine
– Scientific studies
This why you need to get to know the Metric
System.

7. Background – United States
• At this time, Manufacturing; Transportation; and
Construction Industries; are primarily using the
Customary/ Standard system. In certain sectors, the
conversion is obvious (i.e. – Automobiles (Metric)).
However, in these industrial areas the changes have not
been as complete.
• This is the reasoning for studying both measurement
systems used in the United States.

8. Background Information
• Devices that can be used to measure.
– Ruler
– Yard Stick
– Meter Stick
– Tape Measure
– Protractor
– Framing Square
– Architect and Engineering Scales

9. Examples

10. How can we read a Standard/
Customary Ruler
Inches Fractions
2
4
8
16
¼ ¾
The Whole Inch
First Half Second Half
1
/8
3
/8
5
/8
7
/8
1
/16
3
/16
5
/16
7
/16
9
/16
11
/16
13
/16
15
/16

11. 1. Find out how many parts the inches are divided into.
Count the spaces in 1 inch.
This number will be the denominator.
2. Count the number of whole inches.
Write down the number.
3. Count the number of spaces after the last whole inch.
This number will be the numerator.
4. Reduce fraction, if necessary.
Hint: If the numerator is a odd number it is reduced.
Steps in Using the
Standard (Customary) System

12. Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Find Denominator
Count Whole Inches
Find Numerator
Step 4Reduce Fraction, If Necessary
Let’s Review
16
7
1

13. Metric System
International System
Millimeters and
Centimeters
Decimal
Numbers
1 mm = 1/10 cm = 0.1 cm
5 mm = 5/10 cm = 0.5 cm
10 mm = 10/10 cm = 1 cm

14. Steps in Using the
Metric (SI) System
1. Count the number of whole centimeters
(cm).
These are the larger lines with numbers
2. Count the number of lines after the whole
number.
The smaller lines which are millimeters (mm).
3. Put in correct terms.
Are you measuring in mm or cm?

15. How can you tell the difference
between a Standard or Metric
ruler?
• Count the spaces between whole
numbers.
– If you get 8, 16, 32 or 64 spaces you have
– A Standard Ruler
– If you get 10 spaces you have
– A Metric Ruler

16. Converting from Standard to Metric
Convert from: To: Multiply by:
mile kilometer (km) 1.609347
inch millimeter (mm) 25.4
inch centimeter (cm) 2.54
foot meter (m) 0.3048
yard meter (m) 0.9144

17. Converting from Metric to Standard
Convert from: To: Multiply by:
kilometer (km) mile 0.6214
millimeter (mm) inch 0.0394
centimeter (cm) inch 0.3937
meter (m) foot 3.281
meter (m) yard 1.094

18. Let’s Practice
You used a meter stick to measure your
window for new shades. However, the
shade packages list the measurements in
English units. Luckily your cell phone has
a calculator so that you can quickly
convert your 81.3 cm by 91.4 cm window
opening to English units. What size is your
window using English units? Round to the
nearest inch.
81.3 cm x .3937 in/cm =
91.4 cm x .3937 in/cm =
Therefore, the window opening is 32 in. by 36 in.
32 in.
36 in.

19. Summary
Two Types of Measuring Systems
MetricMetric
Standard/ CustomaryStandard/ Customary
What to remember about the Metric System:
Each line is a millimeter and every 10 lines is a centimeter.
What to remember about the Standard/ Customary System
Halving or doubling units.
What whole number do you have?
Units – 1 / 16, 1 / 8, 1 / 4, 1 / 2 or inch
Can count each line and reduce the fraction
Count line patterns (1 / 8, 1 / 4).
Get Ready to Practice and Good
luck!

20. Image Resources
Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip Art. Retrieved October 7, 2008, from
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx