In this article we will learn what units of measurement are, we will know their different types and we will see examples. At the end of the article you will be able to find a table that concentrates all the units of measure.
Table of contents:
With the units of measurement we measure different things or aspects. We will come across them every time we want to quantify something. For example, with measures such as meters and kilometers we can measure length. With measures such as gram, kilogram and ton we can measure weight.
For us the most important measurements are those of the following items:
Length measurements (With units such as the following: centimeter, meter, kilometer).
You can read about each of them in more depth below.
Most of the questions related to units of measurement are verbal problems. In this type of problems we will receive information about some kind of unit of measurement and we will have to convert it to another one by performing a certain calculation.
Length
Example 1
If Noa walked 20 meters, how many centimeters did she walk?
This is an example of a problem with length measurements. To answer this question we will have to convert meters to centimeters. Therefore, we will need to know the relationship between the two sizes. In this case we know that 1m=100cm.
Then we can calculate:
20metros=20⋅100cm=2,000cm
That is, it gave us that 20 meters equals 2000 centimeters. That means that Noa walked 2000cm.
With the units of measurement we measure different things or aspects. We will come across them every time we want to quantify something. For example, with measures such as meters and kilometers we can measure length. With measures such as gram, kilogram and ton we can measure weight.
Sometimes we will have a problem in which we will have to convert a certain number from one measure to another, but we will not know by heart how to do it. In these cases, within the question we will be given another piece of information or formula.
Let's look at another example:
Join Over 30,000 Students Excelling in Math!
Endless Practice, Expert Guidance - Elevate Your Math Skills Today
There are different types of currencies (different monetary units) in the world. For example, some countries in the Americas use the peso, others use the dollar, and several countries in Europe use the euro.
Example 2 - Money
How many cents go into 10 dollars?
Use the exchange rate:
1doˊlar=17.50 Mexican pesos.
Solution:
First we will explain that currency conversion is a dynamic concept that is constantly changing and is affected by many economic factors. In the past the dollar was worth a different amount of pesos. Today a dollar is worth 17.50 Mexican pesos. It is a very interesting topic, but we will not go into it in depth in this article.
Let's go back to the solution of the problem.
Recall that 1peso=100 cents.
Let's calculate:
10$ =10⋅17.50pesos=175.00pesos
175.00 pesos =175×100centavos=17500 cents
That is, it gave us that
10 dollars is 17500 cents at the current exchange rate.
Very important! During all the calculations we do, we will be careful to write down what unit it is. We will be careful not to write a number without indicating which unit it symbolizes. Remember! This is an important point that will prevent you from making mistakes in later calculations. For example, if we are calculating distance we will write down 100m or 100cm and not only 100.
Every three-dimensional body has volume. For example, a ball or a pyramid are bodies with volume. The volume of a body is our way of measuring the place that body occupies in space.
Example 4 - Volume
For example, let's look at a cube that the length of each of its sides is 1 cm, like this one:
To calculate the volume of the cube we will use the known formula: length X width X height
In this case the three dimensions are equal and, therefore, we will write down:
V=1cm×1cm×1cm=1cm3
V is the letter used to abbreviate the word volume in exercises and is used to designate volumes.
That is, it gave us that the volume of the cube is 1cm3 = cubic centimeter (cm raised to the third power).
Another example - Volume:
How many liters is 10000cm3?
Recall that:
1,000cm3=1litro
Then:
10,000cm3=10×1000cm3=10×1Litro=10Litros
That is, he gave us that 10.000cm3 equals 10 liters.
A comparison of dimensions based on a unit of measurement.
What is a unit of measurement?
A unit of measurement allows us to quantify the dimensions of something, with references such as length, magnitude, temperature, among others.
How many systems of units of measurement exist and what are they?
There are two known systems of units: The international system (SI) and the English system.
What are the units of measurement?
According to the SI (International System), they are universal units, classified into fundamental and derived units.
Among the fundamental units we have: length (meter), magnitude (kilogram), temperature (Kelvin degrees), time (second), electric current (Ampere), luminous intensity (Candela) and quantity of substance (Mol).
In the derived units among the most common we have: Energy (Joule), Force (Newton), Pressure (Pascal), Potential Difference (Volt), Charge (Coulomb), Resistance (Ohms).
Ejemplos y ejercicios con soluciones de unidades de medida
Exercise #1
8km2=?m2
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
It's important to remember that in one kilometer there are 1000 meters.
Therefore, if there are 8 kilometers, it means there are 8*1000 meters -
8000 meters.
Answer
8000m2
Exercise #2
7.8T=?kg
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
The letter T indicates a metric tonne,
One tonne is equivalent to one thousand kilograms,
Therefore, in 7.8 tons there are
1000*7.8 = 7800 kg
Answer
7800
Exercise #3
555×200kg=?T
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
First, let's get rid of the fraction:
555=11
Now we have:
11×200kg
Let's calculate and we get:
2200kg
Note that we need the answer in tons, so:
T=1000kg
10002200kg=2.2T
Answer
2.2
Exercise #4
xm=?km
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
In one kilometer there are 1000 meters,
therefore one meter is one-thousandth of a kilometer.