Grade 5 · Spatial Sense · Metric Measurement
Convert Metric Units
Metric units and place value are both built on powers of ten, so conversions can be reasoned out instead of memorized.
The big idea
Smaller units require a greater count
A kilometre is 1,000 metres. The same distance written in metres needs 1,000 times as many units.
Work it through
Convert 2.35 km to metres
- 1. Use the relationship 1 km = 1,000 m.
- 2. Multiply 2.35 by 1,000.
- 3. 2.35 km = 2,350 m.
- 4. Check: the count grew because metres are smaller than kilometres.