11-Plus Mathematics: Measurement and Units

Measurement and Units

Understanding units of measurement is essential in 11-plus Mathematics. This topic covers various units used for measuring length, mass, and capacity, as well as the conversion between these units.

Metric Units

In the metric system, the following units are commonly used:

• Length: millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), meters (m), kilometers (km)
• Mass: grams (g), kilograms (kg)
• Capacity: milliliters (ml), liters (l)

Converting Between Metric Units

To convert between metric units, it is important to understand the relationships between them. For example:

• 1 cm = 10 mm
• 1 m = 100 cm
• 1 km = 1000 m
• 1 kg = 1000 g
• 1 l = 1000 ml

When converting, you can multiply or divide by these factors. For instance, to convert 5 meters to centimeters:

Worked Example

Problem: Convert 5 m to cm.

Solution:

• Since 1 m = 100 cm, multiply by 100:
• 5 m × 100 = 500 cm

Imperial Units

In addition to metric units, it is also important to understand imperial units:

• Length: miles
• Mass: pounds (lbs)
• Capacity: pints

Converting Between Metric and Imperial Units

When converting between metric and imperial units, you will need to use specific conversion factors:

• 1 mile = 1.60934 km
• 1 pound = 0.453592 kg
• 1 pint = 0.568261 l

For example, to convert 10 miles to kilometers:

Worked Example

Problem: Convert 10 miles to km.

Solution:

• Using the conversion factor, multiply by 1.60934:
• 10 miles × 1.60934 = 16.0934 km

Understanding these units and conversions is crucial for success in the 11-plus Mathematics exam.