Converting Units
Using this virtual manipulative you may:
Solve unit conversion problems
The problem asks you to express the given quantity shown in terms of different units.
Under each tab is a set of buttons each showing an equivalence between two different units of measurement.
You may need several sets of equivalences to make the desired conversion. Each equivalence may be expressed in two ways in fractional form representing multiplication by 1. For example, since 12 inches and 1 foot are equivalent (button "12 in = 1 ft"), clicking on the button will display two fractions, (12 in / 1 ft) and (1 ft / 12 in), each representing multiplication by 1. Your job is to choose the fraction that will allow cancellation of units.
The fractions will disappear, colored lines will display the cancellation, and the result of the conversion will appear. If the selected fraction does not allow any cancellation, you will see an error message. Click
to back up and try again.Create your own unit conversion problems
Experiment by posing your own unit conversion problems.
You may enter a number in the black edit box before or after you set the units. To correct the placement or choice of unit, click
and start over. The button only applies to the units cancellation operation.