Often the required conversion will be in the form of a "word problem" - that is a problem stated in words. The word problem must be interpreted and put in the form that we are familiar with to be solved. The following three examples can be used to illustrate this process:

1. A woman is measuring the distance around the walls of her living room so that she can order a wallpaper border. The only available measuring device is a meter stick with which she determines the distance to be 14.63 meters. How many feet of wallpaper border must she order?

14.63 m = 48 ft

2. A newborn infant weighs 112 oz but hospital regulations require the weight to be recorded in kilograms. What is the baby's weight in kilograms?

112 oz = 3.18 kg

3. We are all familiar with the 2 liter plastic bottle of soda pop. What is the volume of a 2 liter bottle in quarts?

2 l = 2 quarts

Now try these conversion word problems

Do your work on paper and later check the solutions:

1. An American man is weighed at a physician's office in France (not knowing the scale is a kg scale). He is surprised when his weight is 100 (kg). What is his weight in pounds?

2. The same man is surprised at his height of 1.84 (m). What is his height in feet?

3. A standard aspirin tablet contains 324 mg of aspirin. What is the ounce weight of aspirin in the tablet?

4. A bottle of lemon juice contains 32 fl oz what is the volume in ml?

Solutions to the Conversions Word Problems

1. 100 kg = 220 pounds

2. 1.84 m = 6.03 ft

3. 324 mg = 0.0114 oz

4. 32 fl oz = 960 ml

Tutorial Exam #2