1. Which customary unit would be best for describing how much water a spoon will hold?

Solution:

How much water a spoon will hold is a measurement of volume. The length and weight units can be eliminated. There are 5 units left.

Fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons.

A spoon will hold less than a cup of water but more than a fluid ounce. Fluid ounces will be the best choice of units.

2. How many inches are there in 8 feet?

Solution

The conversion factor between inches and feet is 12 inches = 1 foot.

When moving from a smaller unit to a larger unit, multiply by the conversion factor.

8 feet = 8 x 12 inches

8 feet = 96 inches

3.Danica is making a meal for a large number of people. She is doubling the recipe so she has enough for everyone. The recipe calls for 2 cups of milk. How many pints of milk should she buy?

Solution:

Danica is doubling the recipe. The recipe calls for 2 cups. Multiply by 2 to calculate how many cups she needs.

2 cups x 2 = 4 cups.

Convert to pints to see how many pints she would need to have enough milk.

When moving from a smaller unit to a larger unit, convert by dividing by the conversion factor.

4 cups

2 cups/pint = 2 pints

She should buy 2 pints of milk.

Problem

Joe is building a rock wall. He needs 5 tons of rock to complete the wall. If each rock weighs 10 pounds, how many rocks does he need to complete the wall?

Solution

The rocks are measured in pounds so convert tons to pounds. To convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply by the conversion factor.