Conversions

you are learning about the metric system and making conversions within the metric system. Many believe that conversions within the metric system are easier to make, while others believe conversions within the U.S. system are easier.

During this unit, you will explore two different measurement systems: The metric system and the U.S. system of measurement. You will be exposed to both measurement systems either by converting a measurement in that specific system or commenting on a student’s conversion in a different system.

Post 1

1. Begin your response by stating the measurement system you believe is easier to make conversions in, the U.S. system or the metric system. Justify your reasoning with supporting details as to why you believe this system is easier.
2. If you believe that metric conversions are easier, write and post a metric conversion. Choose a four-digit number with no numbers repeated and convert from one unit to another. For example, convert 3450 decigrams to kilograms. You can convert between any two units shown in Table 8.1 on page 437 of the text. Or, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can choose between any two units on the table shown on page 438 of the text. Write a complete explanation, showing all steps used in the conversion. Explain each step as if you were the expert explaining it to a novice.
   — or —
   If you think that U.S. conversions are easier, write and post a U.S. conversion problem using one of the following conversions.

If you need to find the conversion factors, they are readily available on in the Internet. Do not forget to post a link to the site where you found your conversions. NOTE: You must show the conversion step by step including the intermediate conversion. For example, when converting from inches to yards, you must first convert to feet and then convert to yards. Explain how to do the conversion showing all work. Be sure to explain each step of your conversion in words as well as showing the math work.

1. Discuss a real-life situation where you may use this conversion.

Review an example of a response for this Discussion.

Posts 2 and 3

Find the posts of two classmates who chose the system of measurement that you did not choose. For example, if you chose the metric system, choose two posts that address the U.S. system of measurement and vice versa. Make sure that your responses to your classmates are substantive and advance the Discussion. You can check your classmates’ solutions, show a different way to solve a problem, or help a classmate who has a question. The possibilities are endless.

CLASSMATE 1POST BELOW

To me the easiest system is the U.S. Conversion system. This is probably because it was the one I was taught and I have to deal with it with my 7th grader. I have always been fascinated on knowing the depths of the oceans, especially the Atlantic since I live on the east coast. I used to ask my teachers how deep is the Atlantic Ocean and would always get told to research it. I did. So I am going to try to explain it. The Atlantic Ocean is 27,841 feet. I would love to change it to fathoms since this is how the Oceans are measured and talked of.

Starting with inches and going to fathoms: There are 12" in a foot, 36" in a yard which is 3 feet. One fathom is 6 feet. So to change feet into fathoms I would write it like this:

278416 OVER 6 =4640.166666666667

I have always found the U.S. conversions to be the easiest as I went through school as a child learning and memorizing them. I think that it is difficult to learn to do anything differently than you were taught. I feel that the metric system is simple enough as a majority of the conversions use tens however it is too difficult for me to memorize the different details all over again. Maybe I am just stubborn and too set in my ways. For my post I will be using feet to miles conversion.

Living in the state of Colorado I grew up knowing that our capitol city was affectionately known as the "Mile High City". The reason for this is that the city of Denver sits approximately one mile above sea level. This is equal to 5,280 ft. Growing up I also did a lot of outdoor activities including hiking in the mountains. As we would hike it was always fun to find out what elevation level we had hiked up to. I remember the first time I summited a "fourteener" I was beyond ecstatic. A "fourteener" is a mountain that peaks at 14,000 ft. I remember after I got home I did the math to determine how many miles above sea level it was. I had climbed approximately 2.65 miles above sea level. What an amazing accomplishment!