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Measurement

Worldwide Systems of Measurement 
Imperial vs. Metric

Imperial System

  • First defined by the British in the 1800’s
  • Lengths: mile, yard, foot, inch
  • Canada continues to use the Imperial System when trading with goods with the USA

Metric System

  • Most commonly used worldwide (ie: Canada, Europe)
  • Lengths: kilometer, meter, centimeter, millimeter
  • Canada adopted this system in 1970 to replace the Imperial System
 

1 Foot ruler
The ruler represents a length of 1 foot (not actual size). 
Each of the numbers on the ruler represents a length of 1 inch.  Count each inch marker.
Note: there are 12 inches in 1 foot – you need to remember this when measuring with imperial measurement.

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One inch (not actual size)
–  Inch divided into 16 equal parts. 
–  Each tick (vertical stroke)  represents
   one sixteenth of an inch – 1/16″
–  Count the ticks to determine the number of          sixteenths at various points along the inch

Note: the fractions have been “simplified” if required

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Measuring in Feet and Inches

To be able to successfully measure in feet and inches you need to know your twelve times table.  The imperial measurement system uses fractions. 
You will NOT be converting fractions to decimals.   If your calculations include decimals, you have made an error.
Because you are working with fractions, your calculator will not be useful

Tip:  When completing any assignments or worksheets, always write down the 12 times table first.  This will helps avoid calculation errors when converting inches into feet and inches.

1 foot = 12 inches      and/or      12 inches = 1 foot

12 Times Table

  • 12 x 1 =
  • 12 x 2 =
  • 12 x 3 =
  • 12 x 4 = 
  • 12 x 5 =
  • 12 x 6 = 
  • 12 x 7 =
  • 12 x 8 = 
  • 12 x 9 =
  • 12 x 10 =
  • 12 x 11 =
  • 12 x 12 =
 
Breaking down the inch into equal pieces
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Tip:  If you find working with 1/16ths of an inch confusing you can count each sixteenth tick to create a fraction. 
For example:
3 ticks = 3/16ths of an inch
5 ticks = 5/16ths of an inch
12 ticks = 12/16ths of an inch 

You must remember to simplify your fractions
For example:
12 ticks = 12/16ths of an inch
Divide the numerator and the denominator by 4.
Remember:  Whatever you do to the top number you must do to the bottom number

12 divided by 4 = 3
16 divided by 4 = 4
Simplified fraction – 12/16″ = 3/4 of an inch or three quarters of an inch.

Conventions (symbols) how to express inches and feet in your answers
All are correct but we will use the last convention showing only the symbols of feet and inches
1 foot = 1ft = 1′
1 inch = 1in = 1″

Examples:
2 feet and 3 inches will be expressed as follows:
  2′  3″

2 feet 3 and 1/6th of an inch will be expressed as follows
  2′  3 1/16″      The inch mark goes at the very end of the fraction of an inch

 
Practice Measurement Worksheets and Website
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All info taken from <http://snydercommtech.weebly.com/measurement.html>