Define Length
When we try to find out the size of an item or the distance from one point to another, we use the term “length”. Length gives us the measure of how long an item is or the distance between two points. For example, the length of a ruler is 15 cm.
What is the Difference between the Metric System and the Customary System of Measurement?
The international system of units, also known as the metric system, is used widely across the world other than in the United States. The customary system of measurement is used specifically in the United States, which uses feet, quarts, and ounces for measurement, while in the metric system, units such as meter, liter, and gram are used for measurement. It is quite simple to convert metric units to the customary system by the following conversion method:
Define the Customary System and State the Customary Units for Length
The customary system of measurement is a set of units used for measuring length, weight, capacity, and temperature. It is based on the English system of measurement and is known as the U.S. Customary System as well.
The customary units to measure length and distance are:
- Inches
- Feet
- Yards
- Miles
The customary units are a little trickier because you have to memorize the conversion rates.
How to Convert the Customary Units of Length?
Have a look at the chart for the conversion of one customary unit of length to another.
Depending on the units, we can convert from one customary unit to another. When we are converting bigger units of length to smaller units, we multiply. When we are converting smaller units of length to bigger units, we divide.
Solved US Customary Units Examples
1. Find the number of yards in 5 miles.
Answer: Let us recall the conversion chart of customary units.
1 mile = 1,760 yards
5 miles x 1,760 = 8,800 yards (as we are converting from a bigger to a smaller unit)
There are 8,800 yards in 5 miles.
2. Convert 8 yards = ____ feet
Answer: We have to fill in the blank with the correct answer.
1 yard = 3 feet (from the conversion chart).
As we are going from a larger unit to a smaller unit, we will multiply.
So, 8 yards = 8 x 3
= 24 feet
Thus, 8 yards = 24 feet.
3. Convert: 369 feet = ___ yards
Answer: As we know, 1 yard = 3 feet. We are moving from a smaller unit to a bigger unit. Hence, we will divide.
369 ÷ 3 = 123
Thus, 369 feet = 123 yards.
4. Convert: 6 ft 9 in. = ____ inches
Answer: Here, the units feet and inches are mentioned as ft and in, respectively. Now, we have to convert 6 ft 9 in. to inches. So, we first convert 6 ft to inches and then combine it with 9 inches to get the total value.
As we have learned, 1 foot = 12 inches.
So, 6 feet = 6 x 12 = 72 inches.
Let us now combine 72 inches with 9 inches, and that will give us 81 inches.
Hence, 6 ft 9 in. = 81 inches.
5. Which is greater: 4 miles or 4000 yards?
Answer: In order to find out which is greater, we have to convert any one of them to another unit so that we can compare them in similar units. Here, we can convert miles to yards to compare. We have 4 miles that will be converted to yards.
Now, 1 mile = 1760 yards.
So, 4 miles = 4 x 1760 = 7040 yards.
Clearly, 7040 yards is greater than 4000 yards.
Thus, 4 miles is greater than 4000 yards.
6. Andrew walked 4 miles. Susan walked 15,000 feet. Who walked farther?
Answer: To find out who walked farther, we have to convert one of the units and compare them together in similar units. Let us convert the bigger unit (miles) to a smaller unit (feet). For that, we will multiply.
If 1 mile = 5,280 feet, then 4 miles will be 4 x 5280 which will be 21,120 feet. If we compare both their distances, 21,120 is greater than 15,000. Hence, Andrew walked farther.
7. Chad ran for 8 yards on Monday. He ran 30 feet on Tuesday. Did he run the same distance or was there any difference?
Answer: We know that 1 yard = 3 feet.
We can convert the bigger unit to the smaller unit and compare them to find the answer.
So, 8 yards = 3 x 8 = 24 feet (as we are converting from a bigger to a smaller unit).
Chad ran 24 feet on Monday, and 30 feet on Tuesday. He surpassed his distance on Tuesday by a difference of 6 feet.
The various customary units of length are:
- Inches
- Feet
- Yards
- Miles
Since the distance between your home and school is quite large, we will use the “miles” unit to measure the distance. This is because the unit mile is used to measure larger distances.