L3 · Inches, feet and yards: relating imperial units; approximate conversions

Learning goal

“I can say how inches, feet, and yards fit together, and I can make approximate conversions between metric and imperial lengths - like 2 cm is about 1 inch, and 1 m is about 3 feet.”

Inch (in) — an imperial unit of length. There are 12 inches in 1 foot.

Foot (ft) — an imperial unit of length. There are 12 inches in a foot and 3 feet in a yard. (More than one foot are called feet.)

Yard (yd) — an imperial unit of length. A yard is 3 feet, which is 36 inches.

Approximate — close to, but not exactly. We say "about" when a conversion is approximate.

Worked example

The imperial units fit together like this: 12 inches = 1 foot and 3 feet = 1 yard. Problem 1: How many inches are in 2 feet? Step 1: Each foot holds 12 inches. Step 2: 2 feet hold 12 + 12 = 24 inches. Problem 2: How many inches are in 1 yard? Step 1: A yard is 3 feet. Step 2: 3 feet hold 12 + 12 + 12 = 36 inches. So 1 yard = 36 inches. Say it plainly: inside the imperial system the relations are exact: 12, 3, and 36.

Check yourself — explain it

One yard is 36 inches because...

Paired problem — example still visible

How many inches are in 4 feet? -> 48 inches (4 x 12)

Faded completion — last step is yours

"2 yards = 2 x 3 = ___ feet" -> 6

Ready to practise?

10 scored questions with a 3-rung hint ladder. Mastery needs 8/10 plus both gate questions.

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