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All courses Math Foundations · MF.GM.1 48 of 60
Convert measurements within a system and use unit reasoning to choose the correct scale.

Convert to a smaller unit

Problem
Convert 3 feet to inches.
Your answer
Show answer choicesAnswer choices Work through the mathematics first, then compare your reasoning.Select the answer that matches your work.
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Hint

Write the unit fact you need first: 1 foot = 12 inches.

You are converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit, so the number gets larger. For feet to inches, multiply by 12.

Solution walkthrough

01

Identify the unit relationship

\[1~\text{foot}~=~12~\text{inches}\]

Feet are larger than inches, and each foot contains 12 inches. That gives the scale factor for converting to the smaller unit.

02

Set up the conversion

\[3~\text{feet}~×~12~\text{inches}~\text{per}~\text{foot}\]

Since the problem starts with 3 feet, multiply by 12 because each of those 3 feet is made of 12 inches.

03

Multiply

\[3~×~12~=~36\]

Three groups of 12 inches make 36 inches total.

04

State the converted measurement

\[3~\text{feet}~=~36~\text{inches}\]

So the equivalent measurement in the smaller unit is 36 inches.

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Another way

  1. Count by 12s: 1 foot = 12 inches, 2 feet = 24 inches, 3 feet = 36 inches.

!

Common mistake

Dividing 3 by 12 to get 0.25 is the wrong direction. When you change from feet to the smaller unit inches, the number should get larger, so you multiply by 12.