Converting Units

Converting Units:  

Example: A Giant sea slug called Kevin was washed up near Grange-over-Sands. He was 18.6 m in length. How long is this in cm?

1) Find the conversion factor:  1 m = 100 cm

                                                Conversion factor = 100

2) Multiply and divide by it: 18.6 x 100 = 1860 - makes sense

                                           18.6 divide 100 = 0.186 - ridiculous

3) Choose the sensible answer:   18.6 m = 1860 cm

Converting Speeds

Example: Sophie is driving at 60 km/h. The speed limit is 40 mph. Is she breaking the speed limit?

1) First convert 60 km into miles: 1 mile = 1.6 km - Conversion factor = 1.6

                                                    60 x 1.6 = 96 - too big

                                                    60 divide 1.6 = 37.5- makes sense, so 60 km = 37.5 miles

2) Add in the "per hour" bit to get the speed:

60 km/h = 37.5 mph

So, Sophie isnt breaking the 40 mph speed limit.