Key Differences Between Metric and Imperial Units

When you're studying measurement in Year 7 Math, it's important to know about two main systems: the Metric system and the Imperial system. Let’s break down the key differences.

1. Base Units:

   • Metric System: This system uses simple units like:
     • Meters (m) for length
     • Liters (L) for volume
     • Kilograms (kg) for mass
   • Imperial System: This system uses different units such as:
     • Feet (ft) for length
     • Gallons (gal) for volume
     • Pounds (lbs) for mass

2. Conversion Factors:
   Here are some important amounts to remember when converting between the two systems:

   • Length:
     • 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters (cm)
     • 1 foot = 0.3048 meters (m)
     • 1 mile = 1.60934 kilometers (km)
   • Volume:
     • 1 fluid ounce = 29.5735 milliliters (mL)
     • 1 pint = 0.473176 liters (L)
     • 1 gallon = 3.78541 liters (L)
   • Mass:
     • 1 ounce = 28.3495 grams (g)
     • 1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms (kg)
     • 1 ton = 907.185 kilograms (kg)

3. Usage:

   • The Metric system is used almost everywhere in the world, with about 95% of people using it.
   • The Imperial system is mostly used in the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar.

4. Ease of Conversion:

   • Metric System: This system is based on tens. This makes it easy to convert between units. For example, if you want to change centimeters to meters, you just divide by 100.
   • Imperial System: This system can be tricky because it has different rules for conversions. You need to memorize different numbers, which can be confusing.

Knowing these differences helps students convert between Metric and Imperial units accurately. This skill is important for understanding measurements.