GEAR UP FOR LIFE

MATH MENTOR: Measuring distances

 

How We Measure Distances in the English System

In the United States, we use both the metric system and the English system to measure distances.

The English System uses the following measuring terms:
 

Distance

INCH (in ):  about the length of a thumb, from the joint out. In many languages, the word "inch" means thumb. Anything smaller than an inch, is called a fraction of an inch. For example, half (1/2 ) an inch, a quarter (1/4) of an inch.

  

FOOT (ft): about the size of a man's foot, or 12 inches.

YARD (yd): about the length between the tip of your nose and your middle finger, or 3 feet (a yard stick)

MILE (mi): originally, about the length of 1,000 paces (2 steps, right and left, or about 5 feet) of a Roman legion. That's about 5,000 feet. Now it is defined as 1760 yards.

When you are measuring small distances, like the width of a window, you want to use inches or feet, depending on the size of the window.

 

You wouldn't measure a window in fractions of miles! However, when you are measuring the distance between two cities, you want to use miles, not feet or inches.

We express things in terms that are easiest to understand.

Choose the measurement you would use in the following situations. When you finish, check some possible answers.

You want to measure a football field.

     

You want to measure the length of a small fence around your garden.

     

You want to measure a kitchen counter.

      

You want to measure material for curtain.

      

You want to measure our distance from the moon.

      

Practice your measuring terms. Fill in the missing expressions.

 

EXAMPLE:  
1 ft 12 in

 

1 yd ft in
1 mi yd ft
 6 in ft  
1.5 mi ft yrd

In the United States and in all other parts of the world, people also use the METRIC SYSTEM.

Click the box to practice using the metric system.

Click the box to practice converting English measurements into the metric system and back. -->>