GED Math : Units and Unit Conversions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #156 : Ged Math

I have  of tape. How much is that in ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When converting  into , you must know that .

So we can see that we have , so we don't have enough to make . In order to convert this then, we must divide how much we have, , by how many  it would take to get a , which is .

So if we have , then in terms of  we have .

Our answer is .

 

Example Question #157 : Ged Math

Bob was asked by his teacher to make a Popsicle bridge that is  long. The store Bob goes to pick up Popsicle sticks only sells them in bags of . How many bags should Bob get so that he has the least amount of excess Popsicle sticks?

Possible Answers:

 bags

 bag

 bags

None of the answers will give Bob enough Popsicle sticks.

 bags

Correct answer:

 bags

Explanation:

Before we can pick up any bags, we need to know how many  the teacher is asking for first. The question states that Bob needs  for his bridge, so let's convert that to   by dividing it by . We do this because 

 comes out to , so we know how many  the teacher is asking for. Now let's look at our choices for bags.

 bag would be too little, as the teacher is asking for , and  or  bags would give us too many Popsicle sticks.

Since there is no bag that is , the bag we can get that is the closest to that number is . With  bags we will have enough Popsicle sticks in order to make the bridge, and it has the least amount of excess Popsicle sticks than   or .

Our answer is  bags.

Example Question #161 : Ged Math

Sarah has been asked to make a ribbon for her sister that is  long. She can only buy the ribbon material at the store in . How many  should she buy then in order to be exact?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Before we buy any ribbon material, let's convert what the sister is asking for into the right unit. Sarah needs  in order to make the ribbon, so to convert that to  we need to multiply  by . We do this because .

So we can see that Sarah needs to buy  of ribbon material in order to make a ribbon that is exactly  long.

Our answer is .

Example Question #162 : Ged Math

Tommy was asked to measure how long the pond is in his backyard. He records that the pond is  long, but his teacher wants him to convert that into . How long is the pond in ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to convert  into , let's first convert our  into , since  is the unit in between the two.

, so in order to convert this we need to multiply our number of , with the number of  it takes to make .

We now have , so converting this to  should make it easier. 

, so in order to convert what we have we need to multiply our  by  for the same reasons above.

We can conclude that .

Our answer is .

Example Question #163 : Ged Math

I have  of candy rope. How much is that in ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the conversion we are asking for is from two different metric systems, the conversion rate will not be a whole number.

While it differs slightly, the conversion we will use for  to  is 

We have , so in order to convert that to  we'll have to multiply our number by .

Our answer is 

Example Question #164 : Ged Math

If I have  of rope, how much is that in ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

While the conversion may vary, the one we will be using for this problem is .

Since we are at , we'll need to multiply this by  in order to convert it to .

Our answer is 

Example Question #161 : Ged Math

If Jenna is donating  inches of her hair, how long is her donation in centimeters?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For this problem, it's important to know that . This conversion factor will allow you to convert twelve inches into centimeters. 

Aside from knowing the conversion factor, it's important to also know how to set up this kind of problem so you can be successful at solving the question. 

Often times, it's easier to solve/set up through the use of dimensional analysis. Begin by drawing a "t". In the top left corner of the t we will write in our original unit ( inches). We know that our final answer must me in centimeters - therefore, we need to be able to "cross out" the inches units. This can be done by placing  inch (the conversion factor) in the bottom right corner of the t. The inches will cancel out because think of them as being divided out. When you have one thing as the numerator of the fraction and the same thing is the denominator of the fraction, they will cancel out as . The same concept goes for dimensional analysis with units. 

In order to complete the t, we need to include the  in the top right corner to finish the conversion factor. This will leave us with an answer ending in centimeters. 

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Now, we must multiply across the top and divide by the numbers on the bottom. 

 

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