UNIT

1 Measurement

Measurement explores different ways you can determine

lengths, areas, and volumes. In many fields of work and
in your daily life, you may need to use length, area,
and volume measurements. Workers in fields such as
architecture, road construction, and surveying often
use trigonometry to help calculate measurements.

Depending upon your task, you may need to work

in the imperial or SI system, or even convert
between systems. In this unit, you will take
some measurements directly and learn how to
calculate surface area and volume of three-
dimensional objects. You will learn how to use
trigonometry to calculate distances that are
difficult to measure.

Your Measurement Organizer

You can use this measurement organizer to see
how the concepts in this unit are connected.
You will see this organizer on the first page
of each chapter. The concepts covered in that
chapter are highlighted.

Trigonometry

Imperial Measurement SI

Surface Area
& Volume

2 MHR • Unit 1 Measurement

Looking Ahead
In this unit, you will solve problems involving …
• linear measurement
• conversions within or between SI and imperial systems
of measurement
• surface area and volume of three-dimensional (3-D) objects
• right triangles and trigonometry

Unit 1 Measurement • MHR 3

 Unit 1 Project
Changes in Music Distribution
The music industry has been big business for decades. Technological
advances have affected how music is recorded, distributed, and listened
to. Over the years, different devices have been used to store and transfer
music. Many of these devices could hold only a few songs. Today, the
increasing demand for greater storage and distribution capabilities has
created a need for improved communication networks.
In the Unit 1 project, you will prepare a presentation that includes
research on the history of music recording, a comparison of storage
devices, a description of the impact of technology on music
distribution, and a prediction of the next technological advance.
Throughout Chapters 1, 2, and 3, Unit Project questions will
help you gather some of the information for your project. You
may need to conduct additional research to complete
your project.

While completing your project, you will …

• research the history and storage of music over time
(throughout Unit 1)
• estimate and calculate linear measurements of music
storage devices (Chapter 1)
• apply your understanding of unit conversions
(SI and imperial) to compare music storage devices
(Chapters 1 and 2)
• use surface area and volume to compare music
storage devices (Chapter 2)
• use the Pythagorean theorem and trigonometry to
explore how wireless systems have affected music
distribution (Chapter 3)
• predict the next technological advance in music
distribution (end of Unit 1)

4 MHR • Unit 1 Project

Unit 1 Project • MHR 5
 CHAPTER

1
Measurement Systems
Measurement is the process of finding the size of an object. It
relates the unknowns in our world to accepted or standard
units. Linear measurement is critical to many jobs. How is
measurement being used in each picture? Challenge yourself to
think of a career that does not have a connection to measurement.

Big Ideas
When you have completed this chapter, you will be able to …
• estimate a linear measurement using a referent and justify
your choice of units
• solve problems involving linear measurement using
measuring instruments
• provide referents for linear measurements
• convert measurements within or between
the SI and imperial systems

Key Terms
SI
referent
imperial system

Your Measurement Organizer

Trigonometry

Imperial Measurement SI

Surface Area
& Volume

6 MHR • Chapter 1
 Photogrammetrist
Photogrammetrists analyse, measure,
and interpret aerial photographs. Using
these skills, they get information about
3-D objects. The information is used in
making maps, in ecological studies,
and in forestry. A photogrammetrist
may be hired to track an oil spill Web Link
or engineer a roadway. To learn more about
photogrammetrists, go to
www.mhrmath10.ca and
follow the links.

Make the following Foldable™ to take notes on what you will learn in
Chapter 1.

1 Create a booklet 2 Fold the top of the 3 Staple the top to

by staggering booklet toward you and hold the pages in
three sheets of align these tabs with the place. Write the title
8 _ in. by 11 in.
1 existing ones. All of the of each section on
2 tabs should appear the the tabs.
paper to create same height.
tabs that are Chapter 1
Measurement
approximately } 2 cm
} 2 cm
2 cm wide.
What I Need to Work On
} 2 cm 1.1 SI Measurement
} 2 cm 1.2 Imperial Measurement
} 2 cm
} 2 cm Conversion Tools
} 2 cm 1.3 Converting Between SI and Imperial Systems

Chapter 1 • MHR 7
 1.1 SI Measurement

Focus on …
• justifying the units
used for a measurement
• solving problems Rob Cardinal, who is of the Siksika First Nation, is a researcher
that involve linear at the University of Calgary’s Rothney Astrophysical Observatory.
measurement On October 1, 2008, he took some images that he thought were of
• explaining the process an asteroid. It turned out to be an undiscovered comet and was
used to estimate a named Comet Cardinal. Whether you are exploring the universe,
linear measurement
hiking in the Rockies, or travelling in the Prairies you will be
• selecting appropriate using linear measurement with SI units. SI stands for Système
referents
International d’Unités. What SI units can you name? What type
of measurement is associated with each unit?

Materials Investigate Dimensions of a Rectangle

• three items that are
non-standard measuring What effect does the unit of measurement have on the length-to-
units (e.g., coin, width ratio of a rectangle?
paperclip)
• SI measuring tape 1. Work with a partner. Draw a rectangle on half of a sheet
• grid paper of paper.

2. Choose three non-standard units to measure the dimensions of

your rectangle. Estimate how many of each non-standard unit it
takes to measure the length and width of your rectangle.

8 MHR • Chapter 1
 3. Measure the dimensions using each non-standard unit.
Record all data in a chart or table. You may need to record
measurements using fractions or decimals.

22000099 22000099 22000099 22000099 22000099 22000099

The length of this rectangle is 5 _1 dimes.

2

4. Estimate the length and width of your rectangle in millimetres

and centimetres. Then, confirm your estimate by measuring
using each of these standard units. Record your estimates
and measurements.

5. For each unit of measurement, plot your measurements as

(length, width) coordinate pairs on a grid.

6. Reflect and Respond

a) Describe any patterns you see in the graph.
b) Does the ratio of length to width for your rectangle vary
when you change the units of measurement? Explain.

7. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using standard

units for measuring distance.

Link the Ideas

Canada’s official measurement system is SI (Système International SI (Système
d’Unités) . Some SI units for linear measurement are listed in the International
table. d’Unités)
• a system of
Unit Abbreviation Multiplying Factor measurement in which
all units are based on
kilometre km 1000
multiples of ten
hectometre hm 100 • the metre is the basic
unit of length
decametre dam 10
referent
metre m 1
• an item that an
decimetre dm 0.1 individual uses as a
centimetre cm 0.01 measurement unit for
estimating
millimetre mm 0.001 • for example, the height
of a doorknob above
Various measuring instruments allow accurate measurement
the floor is about 1 m,
of distances in standard units. You can also develop personal or the thickness of a
referents to use when estimating measurements. dime is about 1 mm

1.1 SI Measurement • MHR 9

 Measuring Instruments
SI rulers, metre sticks, and measuring tapes give measurements
to the nearest millimetre, or 0.1 cm. A caliper can accurately
measure to the nearest tenth of a millimetre, or 0.01 cm, depending
on the scales.
Follow these steps to read a caliper.
1. Read the value on the fixed scale that is For the caliper shown, the
reading is 2.2.
located exactly at or just to the left of
the zero on the moving scale.

2. Identify the next line on the moving scale For this caliper, it is the
line on the moving scale
that aligns with a line on the fixed
that represents 0.03.
scale. Read the value on the fixed scale.

Web Link 3. The final reading is 2.23 cm. (2.2 + 0.03 = 2.23)
To watch a video
showing how to read fixed scale
an SI caliper, go to
www.mhrmath10.ca 0 1 2 3 4 5
and follow the links.

cm
step 1 moving scale
0 5 10

step 2

Referents
A non-standard measuring unit can be used as a personal referent.
Referents help individuals estimate in standard units, such as SI
units. For example, suppose you use the width of your fingernail
to approximate 1 cm. Then, when you measure something that
appears to be as wide as 4 of your fingernails, you can estimate
that it is 4 cm wide.
Several referents are possible for each of the main linear SI units,
the millimetre, centimetre, metre, and kilometre. Finding a
referent for a kilometre is more difficult, because it is a large
unit. You might choose a referent for a kilometre to be 12 or
13 city blocks.

10 MHR • Chapter 1
Example 1 Estimate and Measure Using SI Units
Estimate each distance using an appropriate referent. Then,
measure each distance.
a) the thickness of a CD case
b) the height of the seat of a chair
c) the width of this page

Solution
a) Use the width of one fingernail as a referent for 1 cm.

The thickness of a CD case is approximately as wide as half of

one fingernail. Estimate the thickness of a CD case as 0.5 cm.
Measure, using an SI ruler or caliper. The thickness of a CD case
is 4.5 mm or 0.45 cm.

b) The height of the seat of a chair is approximately half of waist

height. Use waist height as a referent for 1 m. Estimate the seat
of the chair as 0.5 m high, or 50 cm. Measure, using a measuring
tape. The height of the seat of a chair is 46 cm.

c) Use the width of one fingernail as a referent for 1 cm. Count the
number of fingernails that fit across half of this page and double
the number. An estimate of the width of this page is 22 cm.
Measure the width using an SI ruler. The width of this page
is 21.5 cm.

Your Turn
Estimate the height of the chalk or marker tray on a blackboard
or whiteboard using an appropriate referent. Then, measure
this height.

1.1 SI Measurement • MHR 11

 Example 2 Convert Between SI Units for Length
A newspaper reported the following measurements in
different stories.
The distance from Earth to the moon is 38 440 300 000 cm.
A worm measures 0.0019 m.

a) For each measurement, state a more appropriate SI unit. Justify

your choice.
b) Convert the given measurement to the more appropriate unit.

Solution
a) The distance from Earth to the moon is very large. It could be
measured in kilometres rather than centimetres. The length of a
worm is very small. It could be measured in millimetres rather
than metres.

b) Convert 38 440 300 000 cm to kilometres.

Did You Know?
Use unit analysis to calculate the number of centimetres in 1 km.
In a fraction, common
factors in the numerator
1 km = 1000 m and 1 m = 100 cm
and denominator divide So, 1 km = (1000)(100) cm
to make 1. This concept 1 km = 100 000 cm
38 440 300 000 cm ___
is used to simplify
fractions to lowest terms. (
1 km
100 000 cm )
= 384 403 km
Example:
The measurement 38 440 300 000 cm can be converted to
_
18
=
__
(91 × 2)
45 (91 × 5) 384 403 km.
=
_
2
5 Convert 0.0019 m to millimetres.
In unit analysis, the same
Let x represent the number of millimetres.
concept can be applied to
units of measurement.
Use proportional reasoning.
1000 mm = 1 m
Example:
To convert from metres
__
1000 mm = __ x mm How do you decide which
1m 0.0019 m values to use for the
to millimetres,
1000(0.0019) = x numerator and denominator?
( __
(25 m)
1m )
1000 mm
1.9 = x
=(
_
25 m __
1 )( 1 m )
1000 mm The measurement 0.0019 m can be converted to 1.9 mm.
= 25 000 mm
Your Turn
Convert each measurement to a more appropriate SI unit.
Justify your choice of unit.
a) A tube of toothpaste is 205 mm long.
b) The circumference of a highlighter measures 0.06 m.
c) You travel 590 000 m from Regina to Winnipeg.
d) The top of a door is 2110 mm high.

12 MHR • Chapter 1
Example 3 Solve a Problem Involving Linear Measurement
Kyla buys an oversized wooden barrel. She cuts it in
half to make a planter. She wants to place a metal band
around the planter, 4 cm from the top, to hold the planter
together.
a) If the radius 4 cm from the top of the planter is 0.6 m,
what length of band will she need? Express your
answer to the nearest centimetre.
b) If the bottom band of her planter is 1 m shorter than
the top band, what is the radius of the planter at the
bottom band? Express your answer to the nearest
centimetre.
c) What is the difference between the radius of the planter
at the top band and the radius at the bottom band?
d) Show how much the radius of any barrel increases if
1 m is added to the length of a band. State your answer
as an exact value. Then, express your answer to the
nearest centimetre.

Solution
Did You Know?
a) The length of the band is equal to the circumference of the
Wooden barrels bulge in
planter at 4 cm from the top.
the middle. The bulge
C = 2πr or bilge, as it is known,
C = 2π(0.6) is designed to make
C = 3.7699… How do you convert 3.77 m to centimetres? it easier to roll and to
change direction while
The length of the band 4 cm from the top is 3.77 m or 377 cm. rolling a barrel.

b) The circumference of the planter at the bottom band is equal to

the length of the bottom band. The bottom band is 1.0 m shorter
than the top band.
3.77 - 1.0 = 2.77
The length of the bottom band is 2.77 m.
Calculate the radius of the planter at the bottom band.
C = 2πr
2.77 = 2πr
_
2.77 =r
2π
0.4408… =r
The radius of the planter at the bottom band is 0.44 m or 44 cm.

c) Calculate the difference between the two radii.

0.6 - 0.44 = 0.16
The difference between the radius of the planter at the top band
and the radius at the bottom band is 0.16 m or 16 cm.

1.1 SI Measurement • MHR 13

 d) The formula C = 2πr represents the circumference, C, for any
barrel with radius r. A barrel whose circumference increases by
1 m and radius increases by x metres can be represented by the
following formula.
C + 1 = 2π(r + x)
C + 1 = 2πr + 2πx
C + 1 = C + 2πx Substitute C for 2πr.
1 = 2πx
_1 =x
2π
The radius of the barrel increases by the exact value _ 1 .
2π
_1
= 0.1591549431
2π
The radius of the barrel increases How does this answer relate to
by approximately 0.16 m or your answer to part c)?

16 cm for every 1 m increase Why do you think this increase will

hold true for any size barrel?
in circumference.

Did You Know?

Your Turn
Suppose the inner rim of a Red River cart wheel has a
Red River carts were
circumference of 7.1 m. Each spoke is 1 m long. What is
used by Métis to
transport goods and the diameter of the centre circular hub of the wheel?
belongings. The carts
were pulled by horses or
oxen. Sometimes several
carts were attached in
a line to haul a greater
amount of freight.
Red River carts were
built entirely of wood,
sinew, and rope. This
allowed the carts to float
easily with the wheels
removed. Prairie dust
prevented the axles 1m
from being effectively
greased. As a result,
the carts made a loud
squeaking noise.

Key Ideas
• Each unit in the SI measurement system is a multiple of 10.
All linear measurements are derived from the metre. The most
common units are the kilometre (km), metre (m), centimetre (cm),
and millimetre (mm).
• The kilometre is a large unit (1 km = 1000 m) and is suitable for
measuring large distances.

14 MHR • Chapter 1
 (
• The millimetre is a small unit 1 mm = _
1 m and is suitable
)
1000
for measuring small distances.
• A referent is a personal measurement unit that you can use to
estimate measurements in standard units, such as SI units.
Estimate the length of an eyeglass case.
Use a personal referent, such as “the width of your palm
is 7.5 cm.”
The length of an eyeglass case measures 2 times as wide
as your palm.
7.5(2) = 15
Estimate the length of the eyeglass case to be 15 cm.

Check Your Understanding

Practise
1. a) Estimate the perimeter of each figure in an appropriate
SI unit.
i)

ii)

b) Measure the perimeter of each figure. If all the angles in

each figure are right angles, is it necessary to measure all
sides of the figures? Explain.

1.1 SI Measurement • MHR 15

 2. a) On a plain piece of paper, draw a letter S whose curve length
you estimate to be each distance.
i) 25 mm ii) 20 cm
b) Explain how you could measure the distance of each curved
letter you drew.
c) Measure each S and compare your measurements with the
required distances. If you are out by more than 5 mm for part i)
or 2 cm for part ii), try drawing the letter again.

3. What reading is shown on each measuring instrument?

Give each reading in both millimetres and centimetres.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a) SI ruler

cm

b) SI caliper
0 1 2 3 4

cm

0 5 10

c) SI caliper
0 1 2 3 4 5 6

cm

0 5 10

4. The photograph shows a wind-tunnel test of the airflow over a

Did You Know?
model of NASA’s heavy launch vehicle, called Ares V.
The Ares V is the cargo
launch component for
Project Constellation.
NASA plans manned
space travel in this
vehicle, in 2019.
The Ares V can carry
188 000 kg into
low Earth orbit and
71 000 kg to the moon.

a) Assume the photo and model show a reduction of

approximately 1 : 1000. What is the actual length of Ares V?
b) What is the diameter of one of the actual solid-rocket boosters?

16 MHR • Chapter 1
 5. Consider each measurement. State whether it is reported in the
most appropriate unit. If it is not, explain why and convert to a
more appropriate unit.
a) The highest mountain in Canada, Mount Logan, has a height of
595 900 cm.
b) The diameter of a water bottle is 0.064 m.
c) The world’s tallest bear was 4200 mm.
d) A whooping crane’s wingspan is 0.001 95 km.

Apply
6. A circular model railway track is made by connecting 12 pieces
like the one shown.

32 cm

a) When the 12 track pieces are assembled, what distance does a

toy train travel along the inside of the track?
b) Calculate the radius of the inside edge of the track, to the
nearest millimetre.
c) Estimate the radius of the outside edge of the track.

7. Give some examples of measuring instruments

that are used to measure distance in the home,
community, or workplace. Show or explain
how one of these instruments works.

8. Jacques wants to build a trundle wheel. He

wants the wheel to go around once for every
metre the trundle wheel is pushed. What will
be the radius of his trundle wheel?

9. A magazine editor needs to assess whether the photograph can

be reduced proportionately to fill the rectangle below. Can it be?
Explain, using measurements and ratios.

1.1 SI Measurement • MHR 17

 10. The photograph shows an inukshuk
Did You Know?
overlooking Rankin Inlet
The inukshuk is a in Nunavut. Suppose the
symbol of Inuit culture. It
height of the inukshuk is 4.1 m.
was traditionally used to
mark a place of respect,
What is the height of the
to help hunt caribou, or person standing in the photo,
as a landmark. Inukshuks to the nearest tenth of a metre?
are made by piling rocks
on top of each other.
They may be created in
many forms; however,
few have the form of
a person.

11. a) Measure the diameter of a Canadian dime and quarter.

b) Calculate the ratio of the diameter of a dime to the diameter
of a quarter.
c) If this ratio applies for a quarter and a loonie, what would the
diameter of the loonie be? Does the ratio apply? Justify your
reasoning.

12. Use the map of part of the Northwest Territories to help answer
the following questions.

Moose
Ponds

Rabbitkettle
Lake Fort Simpson
South Nahanni
Virginia Falls National Park
Mac
kenzie Hwy.
50 km Lindberg
Nahanni Butte
Landing

a) Express the scale of the map as a ratio in lowest terms.

b) Estimate the distance from Fort Simpson to Moose Ponds.
Measure and compare the distance with your estimate.
c) Compare the distances from Virginia Falls and Rabbitkettle
Lake to Fort Simpson. How much greater is the distance from
Rabbitkettle Lake?

18 MHR • Chapter 1
13. A geostationary satellite is in orbit 35 800 km above Earth’s
Did You Know?
equator. The average radius of Earth at the equator is 6380 km.
A geostationary satellite
a) Draw and label a diagram of Earth and the path of the satellite.
is a satellite that appears
b) What distance does an observer on the equator travel in one in a fixed position to
day due to Earth’s rotation? Express your answer to the nearest an observer on Earth.
tenth of a kilometre The satellite revolves
around Earth at the
c) How far must the geostationary satellite travel in one day same distance above
to appear stationary above Earth? Express your answer to the equator. These
the nearest tenth of a kilometre. satellites are used for
communications such as
d) How much faster is the satellite travelling than the observer
direct TV distribution.
on Earth? Hint: Use the following formula.
Velocity (in kilometres per hour) = _____
distance (in kilometres)
time (in hours)
14. Unit Project The music industry involves the production,
distribution, and sale of music in a variety of forms. Since the Web Link
1960s, music distribution has evolved from vinyl records to To learn more about
the history of music
cassette tapes, to CDs, and to MP3s. Each change emphasized that
distribution, go to
smaller is better.
www.mhrmath10.ca
a) For the actual-size cassette shown, use a suitable referent to and follow the links.
estimate the dimensions of the cassette case. Explain why you
used that referent.

LP record
b) Measure and calculate the perimeter of each different face
of the cassette case, in millimetres. How many perimeters
do you need to calculate?
c) Vinyl records are available in three sizes—45 rpm
(revolutions per minute), 78 rpm, and 33 _1 rpm or LP size.
3
A 45 record has an actual diameter of 17.5 cm. Estimate
the diameter of the LP in the photograph. Then, by measuring
45 record
and determining a scale, calculate the actual diameter
of the LP, in millimetres.

1.1 SI Measurement • MHR 19

 Extend
15. The scale of an aerial photograph can be approximated as the ratio
of the camera’s focal length to the airplane’s altitude. For this
aerial photograph taken near Fort McMurray, AB, the airplane’s
altitude is 305 m. The camera’s focal length is 45 mm. What is the
greatest distance across the crater shown in the photo?

16. Your lawn has the dimensions shown. A 16.5 m

You cut the grass using a mower that
cuts with a width of 52 cm.
a) To mow the entire lawn, what is 13.5 m
the minimum distance you must
walk? You start at A and return to
A when finished.
b) Does your route, for example, along the perimeter versus
in rows, affect the distance you walk? Explain.

Create Connections
17. Imagine a band or ring placed tightly around Earth at the equator.
You cut the band and lengthen it by 1 m. If you could block the
new band so it is equally spaced above the equator, what distance
would it be away from Earth? Assume Earth is circular at the
equator and the radius of Earth is about 6400 km.

18. Work with a partner. Sometimes a sprained ankle needs to be

wrapped with a compression bandage.
a) Estimate the length of elastic bandage needed to wrap your
ankle then foot repeatedly for four cycles.
b) Wrap your ankle and foot using the figure eight wrapping
technique with a strip of cloth. Measure the length required.
Compare your estimate with the actual measurement.
c) Darwin estimates the length of bandage by determining
the approximate circumferences of his ankle and foot and
multiplying the sum by four. He notices that his estimate
is not close to his actual measurement of the bandage.
Explain why.
20 MHR • Chapter 1
19. Sandra lives in Salmon Arm, BC. She wants blue orchard mason
Did You Know?
bees to live in her backyard. She purchases a bee nesting box and
intends to place it in one of her flower beds. The front of the box Blue orchard mason bees
tend to be quite gentle
measures 15 cm by 15 cm on the inside. The outer diameter of
around people and pets.
each nesting tube is 8 mm. They are native to North
a) Estimate the number of tubes that America, and recognized
can fit inside the box. as effective pollinators.
Each female builds a nest
b) Draw and label a diagram showing by herself. She forages
the dimensions of the nesting box. nectar and pollen and
c) Calculate the maximum number of lays eggs.

tubes that can fit inside the box. Then,

describe one way to check your work.

20. A factory makes frying pans. The inside surface of each pan is
coated with a non-stick coating. You are hired to verify the formula
that the factory uses to calculate the area of the inside surface.
The company formula is S = πd _ ( )
d + h , where S represents
4
the inside surface area, in square centimetres; d represents
the diameter of the pan across the top, in centimetres; and h
represents the height up the side of the pan, in centimetres.
a) Measure a frying pan. Calculate the inside surface area using a
technique of your choice. Give your answer in terms of π. Then,
calculate the surface area using the company formula. Compare
the values. Is the factory formula correct? Justify your response.
b) Li says that most frying pans will have an inside surface area
slightly greater than the one calculated using the formula.
Do you agree with Li? Explain why. Use an example and a
diagram to support your explanation.

21. MINI LAB Work in a small group to establish a personal referent Materials
for a kilometre. Mark off a square that has sides of length 25 m. • SI measuring tape
For each group member, measure the time it takes to walk around • watch
the square once. • outdoor measuring
device, such as an
Step 1 Estimate how long it might take to walk 1 km. odometer, pedometer,
Step 2 Measure actual times by having each group member walk trundle wheel, or
at a normal pace 10 times around the square. Why might measuring tape
your estimate not be close to the actual time?
Step 3 Walk along a street or road for your length of time from
step 2. Measure the distance using an outdoor measuring
device.
Step 4 List some places that are about 1 km from your school
or home.

1.1 SI Measurement • MHR 21

 1.2 Imperial Measurement

Most of the world uses the

SI measurement system.
Focus
Focus on … The United States uses
• providing referents for the imperial system for
linear measurements linear measurement.
• describing a strategy This system is based on
for taking a linear the older English units
measurement of measurement derived
• solving problems from nature and everyday
that involve linear
activities.
measurement using
instruments Canada began a transition
• estimating linear from the imperial system
measurements to SI in 1970, but imperial
measurement is still used.
Why do you think this
is true? Where have you
seen imperial units used
imperial system to measure distance? What
• a system of other imperial units can
measurement based
you identify?
on British units The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, United Kingdom displays
metal representations for the smaller imperial distance
measurements. These include the inch, foot, and yard.

Materials Investigate Referents for Imperial

• imperial linear
measuring instrument Measurement
One of the smallest imperial units for measuring distance is the
inch. The next unit larger than the inch is the foot. The next unit
larger than the foot is the yard. Work with a partner. Share your
answers with your classmates.
1. Identify the length of one inch, one foot, and one yard on your
measuring instrument.
a) How many inches are in one foot?
b) How many feet are in one yard?
c) How many inches are in one yard?

22 MHR • Chapter 1
 2. List objects at school or at home that you could use as a
referent for one inch, one foot, and one yard.

3. What could you use as a referent for one mile?

4. Reflect and Respond

a) Choose an object in your classroom. Describe how to use a
referent to measure the dimensions of the object.
b) Explain why you chose your referent.

Link the Ideas

The following units are the basic imperial units used for
measuring distances. They are in order from smallest to
largest. The abbreviations and symbol are in brackets.
inch (in. or  )
foot (ft or  ) 1 ft = 12 in.
yard (yd) 1 yd = 3 ft or 36 in.
mile (mi) 1 mi = 1760 yd or 5280 ft

How many inches are in 3 _ 1 yd?

2
1 yd = 36 in.
3_
1 yd = 3 _
1 yd __
( 36 in.
)
2 2 1 yd _1
_
1
3 yd = 126 in. 2 ( )
3 (36) ≈ 4(30) or 3(40).

2 So, an estimate is 120.

There are 126 in. in 3 _
1 yd.
2
Approximately how many miles are in 12 640 ft?
1 mi = 5280 ft
__
1 mi = __
x mi
5280 ft 12 640 ft
__ = x
1(12 640)
5280
2.3939 … = x
There are approximately 2 mi in 12 640 ft.
Measuring Instruments
Different measuring devices are used depending on the precision Web Link
required. An imperial ruler or measuring tape can measure To watch a video

distances to the nearest _1 in. A caliper can measure to the showing how to read an
16 imperial caliper, go to
nearest _ 1 in. www.mhrmath10.ca
1000 and follow the links.

1.2 Imperial Measurement • MHR 23

 Follow these steps to read an imperial caliper.

1 2 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3
fixed
scale

moving
0 5 10 15 20 25 scale

1. Read the whole number and tenth values on the fixed scale.
This reading is 1.9 in.

2. Determine where zero on the moving scale lies relative to, in

this case, the 9 on the fixed scale.
It is 2 small divisions beyond the 9.
_2 of _ 1 =_ 1 or 0.05.
4 10 20
This reading is 0.05 in.

3. Identify the next line on the moving scale that aligns with a
line on the fixed scale. In this example, it is 10.
This reading is 0.010 in.

4. Add the measurement readings from steps 1 to 3.

The final reading is 1.960 in. (1.9 + 0.05 + 0.010 = 1.960)

Example 1 Determine Imperial Distances

The photograph shows a polar bear near Churchill, MB. The scale
of the photograph is 1 : 24.

a) Calculate the height of the bear’s back, to the nearest inch.

b) What is the length of the bear? State your answer in feet and
whole inches.

24 MHR • Chapter 1
Solution
a) Use an instrument to measure the distance from the highest
point on the bear’s back to the ground.
height of bear in photo = 2 in.
Let x represent the height of the actual bear.

Scale = _____
distance on photograph
actual distance on ground
_ 1 =_ 2 What measurement unit will the actual height
24 x be in? How do you know?
_1 (24x) = _2 (24x)
24 x
x = 48
The height of the bear is 48 in.

b) Measure the distance from the bear’s nose to the rear leg.
length of bear in photo = 3 _3 in.
8
Let z represent the actual length of the bear.
3_
3
_
1 =_ 8
24 z
_
27
_1 =_ 8
24 z
z = 24 _
27
( )
8
z = 81
The length of the bear is 81 in.
Convert 81 in. to feet and inches.
To do this calculate the number Use 1 ft = 12 in. to find the
of whole feet and then find the number of whole feet.
number of inches remaining. The number of inches in 6 ft is
__
81 in. = 6 ft 9 in. 6(12 in.) = 72 in.
12 Remainder = 81 - 72
The length of the bear is 6 ft 9 in. =9

Your Turn
The photograph of a muskox
uses a scale of 1 : 30. Calculate
the height of the muskox and the
distance between the tips of its
horns. State each answer in feet
and inches.

1.2 Imperial Measurement • MHR 25

 Example 2 Apply Linear Measurement
The Carsons want to buy a 32 television. The size of a television
is measured across the screen diagonally. They are choosing
between a standard 4 : 3 television set and a widescreen 16 : 9 HDTV.
To help them decide, calculate the screen dimensions and the
viewing area for each television. Which television has the greater
viewing area?

Solution
Standard 4 : 3 Television Screen
Using the ratio of width to
height (4 : 3), draw a scale
diagram to visualize the
television screen. 32 in.
height
Measure the diagonal, the width,
and the height of the television
screen in the diagram.
width
diagonal = 2.5 in.
width = 2 in.
height = 1.5 in.
To calculate the width, w, and height, h, of the actual TV screen,
calculate the scale factor using the measurement of the diagonal.
Let s represent the scale factor.
32s = 2.5
s=_ 2.5
32
s = 0.078 125
Scale factor(width of actual TV) = width of screen in diagram
0.078 125w = 2
w= __
2
0.078 125
w = 25.6
Scale factor(height of actual TV) = height of screen in diagram
0.078 125h = 1.5
h= __
1.5
0.078 125
h = 19.2
Area of screen = width × height
A = 25.6(19.2)
A = 491.52
The viewing area of the standard television is 491.52 in.2.

26 MHR • Chapter 1
Widescreen 16 : 9 HDTV
The ratio of width to height
in the diagram is 16 : 9.
The actual TV is an 32 in. height
enlargement of the diagram.
To determine the dimensions
width
of the actual TV screen, you
could use an enlargement factor of x.
Then, the actual width, w, is represented by 16x and the actual
height, h, is represented by 9x.
The actual diagonal is 32 in.
You can use the Pythagorean relationship to determine the
enlargement factor.
(16x)2 + (9x)2 = 322
256x2 + 81x2 = 1024
337x2 = 1024
x2 = _
1024
337
x2 = 3.0385…
x = 1.7431…
Calculate the actual width.
w = 16x
w = 16(1.7431…)
w = 27.8904…

Calculate the actual height.

h = 9x
h = 9(1.7431…)
h = 15.6883…

Area of screen = width × height

A = (27.8904…)(15.6883…)
A = 437.5548…

The viewing area of the standard TV is about 491 in.2 and the
Did You Know?
viewing area of the HDTV is about 438 in.2.
Scientists have
The standard TV has the greater viewing area. developed an ultra-thin
flexible screen that folds
to fit in a pocket. These
Your Turn screens could be used for
What is the difference in the viewing area for a 46 standard computers, telephones,
and advertising.
television (4 : 3) and a 46 widescreen television (16 : 9)?

1.2 Imperial Measurement • MHR 27

 Example 3 Solve a Problem Using Imperial Measurements
Alashun wants to make a drum, or qilaut, that resembles the one
used by a drum dancer in Iqaluit, NU. He has a circular frame,
over which to stretch caribou skin. Then, he
will lash it into place along the frame with
sinew. Alashun uses 3 _ 1 in. of sinew
2
for each inch of the frame.
a) Estimate the diameter of the drum
frame in imperial units. The scale
of the photo is 1 : 15.
b) Approximately what length of
sinew does Alashun need to make
the drum? State your answer in
yards and inches.

Inuit drum dancers performing

at the inaugural event in Iqaluit,
Nunavut. Nunavut became
Canada’s newest territory on Solution
April 1, 1999.
a) The diameter of the drum in the
How would you
photo appears to be just over 1. estimate the
1(15) ≈ 15 diameter of the drum
So, the diameter of the drum is in the photo?
approximately 15.

b) Estimate the circumference of the drum frame.

C = πd
C = π(15)
C = 15π
The circumference of the drum frame is approximately
15π inches.
Alashun uses 3 _
1 in. of sinew for each inch of the frame.
2
Let l represent the length of sinew needed.
l ≈ 3_
( )1 (15π)
2
l ≈ 164.9336… Round this distance to whole inches for converting.

Convert 165 in. to yards and inches. What steps do you follow to
__
165 in. = 4 yd 21 in. convert between imperial units?
36
_
160
=4
40
So, 165 in. ≈ 4 yd.

Alashun needs approximately 4 yd 21 in. of sinew.

28 MHR • Chapter 1
Your Turn
A round Inuit drum needs to have its skin restretched and then lashed
into place with sinew. For each inch of the frame, 3 _1 in. of sinew
2
are needed. The diameter of the frame is 1 _
1 ft. What length of sinew
4
is needed? Express your answer to the nearest quarter of a foot.

Key Ideas
• The imperial system of measurement is widely used in the
United States for measuring distances.
• Even though SI is Canada’s official measurement system, some
Canadian industries still use imperial units.
• In the imperial system, common units for linear measurement are
the inch (in.), foot (ft), yard (yd), and mile (mi). The imperial units
for length are related according to the following conversions:
1 mi = 1760 yd 1 yd = 3 ft 1 ft = 12 in.

Check Your Understanding

Practise
1. a) What does the smallest subdivision on this imperial ruler
represent?

0 1 2 3

b) Look at the caliper that measures in inches. What is the

value of each of the smallest subdivisions on the fixed scale?
State your answer as both a fraction and a decimal.

4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

0 5 10 15 20 25

c) What is the value of each of the smallest subdivisions on

the moving scale of the caliper in part b)? State your answer
in fraction and decimal form.
1.2 Imperial Measurement • MHR 29
 2. Convert each measurement to the unit indicated.
a) The world’s longest earthworm measured 1 ft 1
_1 in.
2
(nearest half of an inch)
b) The world’s shortest man is 2 3.
(nearest quarter of a yard)
c) A rocket separates from its space capsule at 400 000 ft.
(nearest mile)
d) The altitude of a balloon is 3 mi. (nearest foot)

3. What reading is shown on each measuring scale? For each

measurement, name one item that might have this dimension.
a) imperial ruler

0 1 2 3

b) imperial caliper

3 4
7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

0 5 10 15 20 25

c) imperial caliper

0 1 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

0 5 10 15 20 25

4. Name a measuring device that would be appropriate to

measure each distance. Explain your choices. Then, measure
each distance, to the nearest sixteenth of an inch.
a) the diameter of a pen
b) the circumference of a pen
c) the length of a pen

30 MHR • Chapter 1
 5. Use your referent for an inch to estimate the total length of each
figure. Then, measure each distance. Express answers to the nearest
quarter of an inch.
a)
P Q

R
b)
M

K R

L N

6. Explain how you can use a personal referent to help you

estimate. Then estimate and measure each distance. State
each measurement in feet and inches.
a) the width of your classroom
b) the perimeter of your desk or table top

7. Billy Loutit was a Métis mail carrier for the Hudson’s Bay
Did You Know?
Company. He ran 100 mi, from Athabasca, AB, to Edmonton,
in 16 h through flooded terrain. In 1904, William (Billy)
Loutit was sent from
a) What was Billy’s average speed in miles per hour? Athabasca, AB, to
b) How long did it take Billy to run a mile? Edmonton seeking
emergency help against
Apply the flood that threatened
to destroy Athabasca. By
8. An interior designer wants to present a client completing the 100-mi
with some options for wood trim to frame the journey on foot in 16 h,
Norman window shown in the diagram. The he became a hero.
scale of the drawing is 1 : 32. What is the
distance around the outside of the window?
Express your answer to the nearest half inch.
Assume the curve is a semicircle.

1.2 Imperial Measurement • MHR 31

 9. Leslie has a new manual wheelchair. It has 3 in. diameter
micro-caster wheels and 24 in. diameter drive wheels.
a) Leslie wants to know how many times the caster wheels
rotate for each rotation of the drive wheels. Explain the
calculations you would perform to obtain the answer. Then,
give the answer as a ratio of drive wheel rotations to caster
wheel rotations. Write the ratio in lowest terms.
b) How many rotations of the drive wheels are needed to travel
250 yd?
c) Suppose Leslie travels 1
_1 mi. How many rotations will the
2
drive wheels make?

10. Marcus works in a photography laboratory. He needs to enlarge

a photograph of Virginia Falls in Nahanni National Park, NT,
and make it fit into the frame shown.

1
3 _ in.
4

Did You Know?

The water at Virginia
Falls in Nahanni National x
Park, NT, plunges 295 ft.
In the centre of the falls
stands Mason’s Rock. It is
named after Bill Mason,
a well-known Canadian
adventurer and canoeist.

a) What is the scale factor for the enlargement?

b) What is the length of the unknown side of the frame?

11. Gail and Bram are calculating the area of their washroom floor to
order new tiles. Together, they measure the length and width of
the floor to be 7 _
1 ft and 5 ft.
2
a) Gail calculates the area to be 37 f t2 5 in.2. Is Gail correct?
Explain.
b) The tiles they select are 6 in. by 12 in. How many tiles are
needed to cover their washroom floor?

32 MHR • Chapter 1
12. Unit Project Today’s music
storage devices tend to be Web Link
To learn more about
smaller than those of the past,
past and present music
but they can store many more
storage devices, go to
songs. Find a cassette tape www.mhrmath10.ca
case, a CD, and an MP3 and follow the links.
player. Use an imperial
unit to measure each of the
following dimensions. Justify
your choice of unit.
a) the diameter of the CD
b) the dimensions of the cassette case
c) the perimeter of the largest face of the MP3 player

13. A geocaching team captain estimates that a cache is located

500 yd northwest from his position. However, the team must
cross the river using the bridge shown.
a) Estimate the distance that the team travels from the captain’s
position to the cache. Justify your answer.
b) Global Positioning System (GPS) readings provide straight
line distances. Estimate the total of the GPS distances between
the red dots on the map. Give your answer in yards and feet.
How does this total distance compare with the actual distance
walked? Explain why.

cache

marsh

bridge

river

marsh captain

1.2 Imperial Measurement • MHR 33

 Extend
14. Sometimes it is difficult to measure the diameter of an object. It
may be easier to measure its circumference. The distance around
an above-ground circular pool is 60 ft.
a) What is the diameter of the pool? Express your answer to the
nearest inch.
b) The owner wants to build a circular wall outside the existing
one to help insulate the pool. The material she wants to use is
only available in 62 ft, 65 ft, and 70 ft lengths. Determine the
diameter of the new insulating wall using each of the available
lengths. Express your answer to the nearest inch.
c) Which length would you recommend the owner choose?
Explain your reasoning.

15. The astronomical unit (AU) is a unit of length based on the

average distance from Earth to the sun. The AU is currently
accepted as 92 955 887.6 mi.
Two comets appeared in rapid succession in 1996 and 1997.
• Comet Hyakutake came within 0.1018 AU of Earth.
• Comet Hale-Bopp came within 1.315 AU of Earth.
a) Within how many miles of Earth did each comet pass?
b) What is the difference in the distance from Earth between
the paths of Comets Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake? Give your
answer to the nearest mile.
D
16. You can enlarge a shape by
using a point, P, and measuring
A
distances from it to the
vertices of the shape and
to the enlargement. P B E
a) What ratios of side lengths
should be equal if DEF is an C
enlargement of ABC? Use a measuring
F
instrument to measure the lengths of these sides
and compare the ratios.
b) Explain the mathematics behind this method of enlarging
a figure.
c) Use this method to enlarge a figure by a factor of three.

34 MHR • Chapter 1
Create Connections
17. Sam’s room measures 11 ft by 13
_1 ft. He wants to buy a new
2
queen-size bed, if it will fit with his existing furniture. Sam has a
desk, which measures 4 ft wide by 22 in. deep, and a night stand.
a) Find the dimensions of a double bed and a queen-size bed.
b) Design a layout for Sam’s room using a scale diagram. Hint:
You will need to estimate the dimensions of a night stand.
c) Which bed do you suggest Sam buy? Why?

18. Manitoba Hydro announced plans to build a 300-MW wind farm

at St. Joseph, MB. Measurements of some of the wind turbines
being considered are shown below.
a) What is the difference in the length of the blades for the
wind turbines shown?
b) Suppose each turbine makes 30 revolutions per minute.
The tip speed of the blades can be up to 6 times the
wind speed. Determine the tip speed of each blade.
What is the maximum wind speed for each turbine?
Hint: speed = __
distance .
time

262 ft
215 ft
98 ft 131 ft

19. A pathway leads to a fountain in a small park. The park

and the pathway are outlined with a brick border.
a) Estimate the perimeter of the border in the diagram using
imperial units. Explain how you estimated your answer.
b) Measure the perimeter. How close was your estimate to
the actual measure?
pathway
c) Draw a new diagram for the same park but make the
pathway to the fountain half the width of the one shown
in the diagram. What is the perimeter of the border in
your diagram?
d) Predict how the perimeter of the border changes as the width
of the pathway changes. Check your prediction. Use words,
diagrams, and imperial measurements to support your answer.

1.2 Imperial Measurement • MHR 35

 1.3 Converting Between SI and
Imperial Systems

Focus on …
• comparing SI and
imperial units using
referents
• solving problems that
involve conversion of
linear measurements
between SI and imperial
systems
Some people use music to express their thoughts through song lyrics.
• using mental
mathematics to confirm
Many song lyrics tell a story.
the reasonableness of a • Name some lyrics or song titles that include imperial measurements,
solution to a conversion such as miles, feet, or miles per hour.
problem • What SI measurements are comparable to those measurements?
• Describe how the converted measurements could change the song.

Materials Investigate Relationships Between SI and

• compact disc (CD)
Imperial Measurements
Unit Project
1. a) Use a referent to estimate the diameter of a CD in SI units.
How did you make your estimate?
b) Use a referent to estimate the diameter of a CD in imperial
units.

2. Measure the diameter of a CD, to the nearest millimetre.

36 MHR • Chapter 1
 3. Calculate the diameter of each vinyl record in SI units.

12”
10”
7”

33-1/3 rpm “LP” 78 rpm 45 rpm

4. a) Calculate the circumference of a CD and each of the

three vinyl records shown, in SI units.
b) Compare the sizes of the four recording devices.

5. Reflect and Respond

a) Discuss with a partner. Which recording device is able to
store more music—a vinyl record or a CD?
b) Develop a method you could use to compare the amount
of music that each device stores to the size of the device.
Test your method in both imperial and SI units. Web Link
To learn more about
c) Describe how you think laser technology has affected the laser technology, go to
storage of music. Support your answer with information www.mhrmath10.ca
you have gathered in your research. and follow the links.

Link the Ideas

To convert from one measurement system to another, you need to
understand the relationships between the units of length in each
system. Conversions involve proportional reasoning and unit analysis.
Conversions between measurement systems may be approximate
or exact. The imperial yard has been defined as 0.9144 m. This
would be considered an exact conversion.
Since 1 yd = 0.9144 m and 1 yd = 3 ft, 3 ft = 0.9144 m.
1 ft = 1 ft __
(0.9144 m
)
3 ft
1 ft = 0.3048 m
To convert from metres to yards, 1 m is often given as 1.094 yd.
Verify whether this conversion is exact or approximate.
Let x represent the number of yards in 1 m.
0.9144 m = 1 yd
__
0.9144 m = _
1m
1 yd x yd
x = __
1
0.9144
x = 1.0936…
The conversion 1 m = 1.094 yd is approximate.

1.3 Converting Between SI and Imperial Systems • MHR 37

 The following are some common conversions.
Exact Conversions
1 in. = 2.54 cm 1 ft = 30.48 cm 1 yd = 0.9144 m
Approximate Conversions
1 mm ≈ 0.0394 in. 1 cm ≈ 0.3937 in. 1 m ≈ 1.094 yd
1 m ≈ 3.281 ft 1 km ≈ 0.6214 mi 1 mi ≈ 1.609 km

Example 1 Convert Between SI and Imperial Units for Length

Researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
made an announcement in January, 2001. They stated that they
had “frozen light” by using super-cooled vapour to slow the speed
of light waves to zero. The speed of light in a vacuum is defined as
299 792 458 m/s.
a) Estimate the speed of light in miles per second.
b) Predict whether the actual speed of light is greater than your
estimate. Justify your prediction.
c) Calculate the answer, to the nearest mile per second.

Solution
a) Since there are 1000 m in 1 km, 299 792 458 m/s can be
converted to 299 792.458 km/s or approximately 299 792 km/s.

299 792 _
km __
(1 mi
)
s 1.6 km ≈ 187 370 s
_
mi
Recall that 1 mi ≈ 1.6 km.

The speed of light can be estimated as 187 370 mi/s.

b) The actual speed of light, in miles per second, is less than
the estimate because the SI speed was rounded down before
converting.
1 mi = 1760 yd __
0.9144 m
c) Use unit analysis.
(1 yd )
1 mi = 1609.344 m

299 792 458 _

m ___ _ Why is the speed of
(
1 mi
) mi
s 1609.344 m = 186 282.397 s light used here in
metres per second?
The speed of light is approximately 186 282 mi/s.

Your Turn
Swimmer Brian Johns of Richmond, BC, represented Canada at the
2008 Olympics in Beijing. He finished 7th in a race that one news
report referred to as 400 m long and another news report referred
to as _
1 mi. Are the two measurements equivalent? If not, which
4
distance do you think is more accurate? Justify your reasoning.

38 MHR • Chapter 1
Example 2 Solve a Problem Involving Linear Measurements

Your class needs to lay mats on the

gymnasium floor for a gymnastics
meet. The gym measures 84 by 50.
A scale drawing of one mat is shown.
The scale is 1 : 30.5. mat

A classmate thinks that 131 mats are

needed. Do you agree? Explain.

Solution
The mat in the diagram measures 8 cm by 4 cm.
Use the given scale.
length of mat = 8(30.5) width of mat = 4(30.5)
l = 244 w = 122
The length of the mat is 244 cm and the width is 122 cm.
Length of mat
244 cm (__
2.54 cm )
1 ≈ 96 There is a 2 : 1 ratio of length to
width in the measurements of the mat.
Width of mat The SI-to-imperial conversions confirm a

122 cm (__
2.54 cm )
1 ≈ 48
2 : 1 ratio of length to width.

The dimensions of the mat are 8 ft by 4 ft. How do you know the
Sketch a layout of the mats in the gym. dimensions are 8 ft by 4 ft?

4 ft Suppose you do not visualize

...

the mats and you only work

50 ft 8 ft with areas.
___
area of gym
=
__
84(50)
area of mat 8(4)
... Therefore, about 131 mats
84 ft would be needed.

1.3 Converting Between SI and Imperial Systems • MHR 39

 The width of each mat is 4 ft.
_
84 = 21
4
So, there are 21 columns of mats.
The length of each mat is 8 ft.
_
50 = 6 _1
8 4
So, there are 6 rows of mats and some uncovered space.
To cover the gym floor, there are 21 columns and 6 rows of mats.
21(6) = 126
Therefore, 126 mats are needed to cover most of the gym floor.

Your Turn
a) How many paving stones measuring 7
_1 in. by 7 _1 in. are
2 2
needed to cover an area that is 1 yd by 1 yd?
b) To tile a floor that is 3 m by 4 m, how many tiles measuring
30 cm by 50 cm would you buy? Add 10% extra tiles for areas
that require tiles to be cut.

Example 3 Determine Stopping Distances

The distance required to stop a moving vehicle is the sum of the
distances travelled during the reaction time and the braking time. The
diagram shows the theoretical stopping distance at various speeds.

27.1 m 130
km/h
120
25 m 110
135.6 m 6.76 s 100
90 80
22.9 m distance travelled
during driver’s
reaction time
20.8 m
18.7 m 16.7 m distance travelled
118 m 6.30 s during braking
time
5.84 s
101 m 4.46 s time to stop vehicle
5.36 s 4.92 s
57.7 m distance to stop
85.4 m 70.7 m vehicle

a) What factors might affect the reaction time and braking

distances?
b) If a vehicle is travelling at 100 km/h, approximately what
distance is travelled while the brakes are being applied?
c) Convert 55 mph into kilometres per hour. What is the
approximate stopping distance when a vehicle is travelling
at this speed? Express your answer in feet.

40 MHR • Chapter 1
Solution
a) Factors that affect reaction time may include being tired,
distraction by passengers, time in the vehicle, loud music,
or reduced visibility due to weather or dirty windows.
Factors that affect braking distance may include condition
of brakes, condition and/or type of tires, speed, type of road
surface, outside temperature, or road conditions (dry, icy, wet).

b) Find 100 km/h on the diagram.

The reaction-time distance at 100 km/h is 20.8 m.
The total stopping distance at 100 km/h is 85.4 m.
Total stopping distance = reaction-time distance + braking distance
85.4 = 20.8 + b
85.4 - 20.8 = b
64.6 = b Subtract the distances
represented by the line
If travelling at 100 km/h, a vehicle travels segments on the diagram.
approximately 65 m while the brakes are Stopping distance ≈ 85 - 20 or 65
being applied.

c) Convert 55 miles to kilometres.

Use proportional reasoning. Recall that 1 mi ≈ 1.609 km.

Let x represent the number of kilometres.

__
1 mi ≈ __1.609 km
55 mi x km
x ≈ (55)1.609
x ≈ 88.495
Therefore, 55 mph converts to approximately 88 km/h.
From the diagram, when a vehicle is travelling at 90 km/h,
the stopping distance is 70.7 m.
The speed 88 km/h is just under 90 km/h, so convert 70 m to feet.
Use the conversion 0.9144 m = 1 yd or 3 ft.

70 m ( __
0.9144 m )
3 ft = 229.658… ft

When travelling at a speed of 55 mph, a vehicle takes

approximately 230 feet to stop.

Your Turn
a) Use the diagram from Example 3 on page 40. Determine
the difference between the reaction-time distances for speeds
of 110 km/h and 120 km/h. Express your answer in feet.
b) Convert 90 km/h into miles per hour. What is the
approximate stopping distance for a vehicle travelling
at this speed? Express your answer in yards.

1.3 Converting Between SI and Imperial Systems • MHR 41

 Key Ideas
• When solving problems involving measurement, it is crucial
to work with the same units. You may need to convert units
within one measurement system (for example, inches to feet)
or between imperial and SI units.
• If an exact conversion between systems is required, use
1 yd = 0.9144 m to find a conversion between the required units.
1 yd = 0.9144 m
36 in. = 0.9144 m Divide both sides by 36.
1 in. = 0.0254 m
1 in. = 2.54 cm This is an exact conversion

• Sometimes you use approximate values, such as

1 in. ≈ 2.5 cm or 1.6 km ≈ 1 mi when estimating
between measurement systems.

Check Your Understanding

Practise
1. Use the diagram of an imperial ruler to help answer the
questions below.
A B C D

0 1 2 3

a) What is the length of AC? Give your answer as a fraction.

b) Suppose you replace the imperial ruler with an SI ruler.
What is the length of AD, in millimetres?
c) What is the difference in the lengths of segments AB and
CD? Give your answer in SI and imperial units.

2. Convert each measurement to the unit specified.

a) The diameter of a human hair is 0.001 in.
(hundredth of a millimetre)
b) On an NBA basketball court, the width of the key (painted
area beneath the basket) is 4.9 m.
(feet)
c) A snowmobile trail in Alberta is 26 mi 385 yd long.
(hundredth of a kilometre)
d) An envelope has a height of 3
_7 in.
8
(hundredth of a centimetre)

42 MHR • Chapter 1
3. People have always used parts of the body for measuring
length. For example, you may have heard the measurements of
a horse stated by the number of “hands.” Work with a partner.
State your answers in both SI and imperial units.
a) Estimate and then measure your hand span.
b) How many of your hand spans are needed to measure the
length of your desk?
c) Estimate and then measure your pace. This is the distance
between your heels when you take a step while walking. To
be more accurate, you may wish to measure 10 paces and
calculate the average.
d) How many of your paces would it take to walk a mile?
a kilometre? hand span

e) Which measurement system do you prefer to use when

estimating? Why?

4. The floor plan for a one-bedroom 2.8 m 2.6 m

apartment is shown. bathroom
2.0 m
a) If the closet is square, estimate
the length of one of its sides. 3.9 m bedroom

b) Determine the scale of the floor

hall
plan.
c) Calculate the length of one
closet
side of the closet. Express your
living
answer to the nearest tenth of a 4.3 m room
metre. kitchen 2.5 m
d) What are the dimensions of the
bedroom, in imperial units?
2.8 m 2.6 m

5. Read the following paragraph about the Columbia Icefield.

Convert each SI measurement to an equivalent imperial
measurement.
The Columbia Icefield straddles the
boundary between Alberta and
British Columbia. It is the largest
glacier in North America, south of
the Arctic Circle. It has a maximum
depth of 365 m. Its highest points
are Mount Columbia, at 3745 m,
and Mount Athabasca, at 3491 m.
The average snowfall across the
icefield is 100 cm per year.

1.3 Converting Between SI and Imperial Systems • MHR 43

 6. What is the reading represented on each measuring device?
Estimate and then calculate each equivalent measurement in
the other system (SI or imperial).
a) SI ruler

40 50 60 70 80 90 100

b) imperial ruler

0 1 2 3

c) imperial caliper

1 2 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

0 5 10 15 20 25

d) SI caliper

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

cm

0 5 10

Apply
7. A traditional Inuit dog sled uses teams of Qimmiq or sled dogs
on separate lines. The lines are fastened directly to the komatik
or sled. Each dog has a harness with an average length of 3 _1 ft.
2
Suppose a dog sled uses a team of 13 dogs.
a) Calculate the approximate total length of rope needed to
harness the team.
b) Calculate the total length of the harness in SI units. Explain
why you chose this particular unit.

44 MHR • Chapter 1
 8. Alex is on his way home to Moosomin, SK.
He was visiting friends in Mohall, North CANADA
Dakota. As soon as he gets on the highway,
he sees the sign to the right.
28
MI

As Alex passes the Canada-U.S. border,

NORTH
he sees this sign. What is the driving
Moosomin 130 km
distance between Mohall and Moosomin,
in SI units?

9. a) Discuss with a classmate your preferred method of converting the

following units.
• metres to kilometres
• metres to centimetres
• yards to miles
b) Develop a strategy for converting from a smaller unit of length
to a larger unit. Does your strategy apply in both SI and
imperial systems of measurement? Explain.
c) How might your strategy change when you are converting from
a larger unit of length to a smaller one?

10. Margaux and Penny each travel with their families to St. Pierre-
Jolys, MB, for the annual Frog Follies. When the girls arrive, they
compare how far they travelled from their homes.
• Margaux lives in Arborg, MB, and travelled 164 km.
• Penny lives in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and travelled 113 mi.
Penny is not familiar with SI distances. Explain how to determine
the approximate conversion from kilometres to miles. Who Did You Know?
travelled farther? Explain.
Canada has two Niagara
Falls. Most people know
11. The deepest lake in the world is Lake Baikal, in Russia. It has
about Niagara Falls
a depth of 5369 ft. Canada’s deepest lake is Great Slave Lake, in Ontario. The other
named after the Slavey (Dene Tha) peoples who live there. It is Niagara Falls is on
located in the Northwest Territories and has a depth of 2015 ft. Quesnel Lake in British
Quesnel Lake, south of Prince George, BC, is the deepest fjord Columbia. At the mouth
lake in the world. It has a depth of 506 m. of Niagara Creek, water
falls over 200 ft into
Compare the depth of Quesnel Lake with the depths of Lake the east arm of Quesnel
Baikal and Great Slave Lake. Give each answer as a decimal, Lake.
to the nearest metre.

1.3 Converting Between SI and Imperial Systems • MHR 45

 12. Earth is not a perfect sphere. It flattens slightly at the poles.
Did You Know?
A person standing at the North Pole is about 13 mi closer to
The pull of gravity is the centre of Earth than a person standing on the equator.
greater closer to the
centre of Earth. For this How far would you be from the centre of Earth when standing
reason, you would weigh on the North Pole? Give your answer in miles. Assume the
about 2.2 lb more at the equatorial radius of Earth is 6380 km.
North Pole than on the
equator. 13. a) Calculate the perimeter of
3.5 cm
the figure shown. Express
your answer to the nearest
quarter of an inch.
b) Discuss your steps with a 21 cm
partner. Then, describe what
you think is the easiest way
to calculate the perimeter of
the figure in inches.
24 cm

14. Unit Project One type of 80 GB MP3 player has dimensions

of 4.14 cm (width) by 9.15 cm (height) by 0.85 cm (thickness).
The storage capacity is about 20 000 songs. Each LP vinyl record
holds an average of 12 songs and is approximately _1 in. thick.
9
a) Calculate the number of LPs you would need to store as many
songs as the MP3 player. Use mental mathematics to show that
your answer is reasonable.
b) Suppose you stack the LPs. Calculate the height of the stack.
Compare it with the height of the MP3 player. Give your
answer as a ratio in lowest terms.

Extend
15. A farmer wants to build a wall
using concrete blocks. She draws
a diagram showing the wall and
identifies the corners of the
“cubes.” Each concrete block
is the same size as two cubes.
a) How many concrete blocks
does the farmer need?
b) Each concrete block is 20 cm by 20 cm by 40 cm. What are
the outside dimensions of the walled enclosure, in inches?
c) The farmer wants to build a new wall to fit tightly around the
outside of the first one. How many concrete blocks are needed?
Explain how to get the answer from your answer to part a).

46 MHR • Chapter 1
16. Winnipeg’s River Arch spans 23 m along the Trans-Canada
Did You Know?
Highway. The approximate area under a symmetrical arch can
be calculated using the formula A = __ .
w(H + 4h) River Arch symbolizes
the past and present
6
of Winnipeg. The
In the formula, arch contains images
• A represents the area, in square metres of bison, wheat, and
• w represents the width of the arch, in metres ploughed fields. River
• H represents the height of the centre of the arch, in metres Arch is located where
• h represents the height of the arch measured one quarter two bridges cross the
Red River in downtown
of the distance from each end of the arch, in metres
Winnipeg.

a) Assume the arch is symmetrical. Calculate the approximate

area under River Arch, in square metres.
b) Would this formula work for imperial units? Explain.

Create Connections
17. a) State three distances that are often measured in SI units and
three distances that are often measured in imperial units.
b) For each distance in part a), indicate whether it is more
appropriate to use an exact measurement or an approximate
measurement. Justify your reasoning.

18. Using the conversion factor 1 yd = 0.9144 m, show how to

convert from a small imperial unit to a larger SI unit.

1.3 Converting Between SI and Imperial Systems • MHR 47

1 Review

1.1 SI Measurement, pages 8–21

1. Find an object with a curved surface, such as a can. Estimate the
distance around the curved object. Explain how to measure the
curved distance. Then, measure it and compare your estimate to
the actual measurement.

2. Determine the distance from A to B on this SI ruler. Express your

answer to the nearest tenth of a centimetre.
A B

120 130 140 150 160 170 180

3. What reading is shown on this SI caliper? Name an object that

could be this length.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

cm

0 5 10

4. What is the circumference of the largest circle you could cut from
a sheet of paper measuring 30 cm by 20 cm? What area of paper
would you cut away?

5. The elk in the photograph stands 210 cm tall, including the

antlers. Calculate the distance between the tips of the antlers,
to the nearest tenth of a centimetre.

1.2 Imperial Measurement, pages 22–35

6. a) On a plain piece of paper, draw a letter S. As you draw, try to

make the line for the letter 4 _

3 in. long.
4
b) Explain how you could verify that the curve of your S is the
required distance.
c) Measure your S. If your drawing is out by more than
_3 in.,
4
try drawing another S.

48 MHR • Chapter 1
7. State the reading for point D on this imperial ruler as a mixed
number in lowest terms. What is the distance from C to D? Show
two ways to determine the answer.
C D

4 5 6 7

8. At a lumber yard, Jeanette buys lengths of wood with different

cross-sections. For each piece of wood, explain how she could
calculate the perimeter of the cross-section. Then, calculate each
perimeter. Do your answers seem reasonable? Explain.
a) b)

1 1
1– in. 1 – in.
2 2
1 1
1– in. 1 – in.
2 2

9. You want to enlarge the photograph of Burrard Inlet, in

Vancouver, to fill a 4 by 6 frame.

a) Estimate the dimensions of the photograph in imperial units.

Then, record the actual measurements.
b) By what scale factor do you need to enlarge the photograph?
Will the enlargement need to be cropped to fit in the frame?
Justify your reasoning.

Chapter 1 Review • MHR 49

 1.3 Converting Between SI and Imperial Systems, pages 36–47
10. Convert each measurement to the unit specified.
a) The distance from Calgary to Jasper is 412 km.
(miles)
b) Twister is the highest water slide in West Edmonton
Mall, at 25.3 m.
(feet)

11. The world’s tallest man according to Guinness World Records

was Robert P. Wadlow at 8 ft 11 _1 in. Suppose his height was

10
stated as 2.7 m. Would this be an approximation or an exact
measurement? Justify your answer.

12. Thumbelina, the world’s smallest pony, is 17 in. tall. How many
times as tall as Thumbelina is the horse in the photograph?
Estimate what the height of the horse would be if its head were
up. Could you have used different units? Explain.

13. A map of Lesser Slave Lake, AB, is shown.

Scale: 1: 880 000 Atikameg

Gift Lake Utikuma
750 Lake

750

Grouard 754

High Prairie 750

Lesser Slave Lake 88
Enilda Canyon Creek
2 Driftpile Kinuso Widewater
Faust 2
Slave Lake

a) How many kilometres are represented by 1 cm?

b) How many miles are represented by one inch?
c) Estimate the length of Provincial Road 750 from
Grouard to Atikameg. Give your answer in miles.
d) Suppose you leave Slave Lake and travel west on Highway 2
for 57 km before turning off. Where might you be going?

50 MHR • Chapter 1
1 Practice Test

Multiple Choice
For #1 to #5, choose the best answer.
1. A student measures his pace to be 2
_3 ft. How many paces will he
4
need to take to walk 1 mi?
A 360
B 640
C 1760
D 1920

2. If 1 yd = 0.9144 m, which is the correct conversion giving the

number of inches in a metre?
A 1 in. = 25.4 m
B 1 m = 39.37 in.
C 1 m = 254 cm
D 1 m = 100 in.

3. A killer whale has a length of 9.4 m. How many school door

heights would it take to exceed the whale’s length?

9.4 m

A 1
B 3
C 5
D 7

4. A regulation baseball bat must be 2

_3 in. or less in diameter
4
and shorter than 42 in. long. Which bat would not be allowed?
A diameter 6 cm
B length 1.0668 m
C diameter 7 cm
D length 0.9 m

Chapter 1 Practice Test • MHR 51

 5. How many of these rods can fit through a hole with a diameter
of _
5 in.?
8

A 1
B 2
C 3
D 4

Short Answer
6. a) State two referents that you could use to measure the
length of a van. List three appropriate units that you
might measure the length of the van in.
b) Name two units, one SI and one imperial, that are
appropriate for measuring the circumference of a car
steering wheel. What is an approximate conversion
between these two units?

7. Sketch the approximate size of a Canadian $5 bill. Then,

estimate its dimensions in SI units.

8. Janice needs to tighten a nut on her bicycle. She finds

two wrenches.
• The _1 in. wrench is too small.
4
• The _3 in. wrench is too large.
8
Janice’s neighbour suggests that the nut might be an SI size.
Assume that the sizes of SI wrenches are only in whole
millimetres. What SI wrench sizes are between the two
imperial sizes Janice tried?

52 MHR • Chapter 1
Extended Response
9. Two identical archways
inside the Manitoba
provincial legislature are
shown. Suppose the space
between the archways
is 6 ft. Describe how to
calculate the perimeter of
one opening, including
the bottom. Assume that
the top of the archway is
a semicircle. Calculate the
perimeter of one archway,
including the bottom. Give
your answer in feet and
inches.

10. A gymnasium is 40 m long. An instructor asks two students

to create lines every 5 m using green masking tape across
the floor. When the instructor returns, he notices that the
students made the lines 5 yd apart.
a) How many lines did the students make on the floor?
b) What is the distance from the last line to the end wall of
the gym? Include a diagram.
c) Members of the football team train by standing at the end
wall of the gym, running to the 5 yd line, and returning
to the wall. Then, they run to the 10 yd line and return
to the wall. They continue this pattern until they reach
the opposite end. What is the minimum distance, to the
nearest yard, they will run? Justify your answer.
d) Compare the total distances that the football players would
run if the students had placed the lines 5 m apart versus
5 yd apart. Does your answer seem reasonable? Explain.

Chapter 1 Practice Test • MHR 53