Table of Contents

Teaching and Learning The Metric System

Unit 1

- Suggested Teaching Sequence

- Objectives

- Rules of Notation

- Metric Units, Symbols, and Referents

- Metric Prefixes

- Linear Measurement Activities

- Area Measurement Activities

- Volume Measurement Activities

- Mass (Weight) Measurement Activities

- Temperature Measurement Activities

1

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

3 

5 

7 

9 

11

Unit 2

- Objectives

- Suggested Teaching Sequence

- Metrics in this Occupation

- Metric Units For Horticulture

- Trying Out Metric Units

- Growing With Metrics

12

12

12

12

13

14

15

Unit 3

- Objective

- Suggested Teaching Sequence

- Metric-Metric Equivalents

- Changing Units at Work

16

16

16

16

18

Unit 4

- Objective

- Suggested Teaching Sequence

- Selecting and Using Metric Instruments, Tools and Devices

- Which Tools for the Job? 

- Measuring Up in Horticulture

19

19

19

19

20

20

Unit 5

- Objective

- Suggested Teaching Sequence

- Metric-Customary Equivalents

- Conversion Tables

- Any Way You Want It

21

21

21

21

22

23

Testing Metric Abilities 24

Answers to Exercises and Test 25

Tools and Devices List

References

TEACHING AND LEARNING 

THE METRIC SYSTEM 

This metric instructional package was designed to meet job-related 

metric measurement needs of students. To use this package students 

should already know the occupational terminology, measurement 

terms, and tools currently in use. These materials were prepared with 

the help of experienced vocational teachers, reviewed by experts, tested 

in classrooms in different parts of the United States, and revised before 

distribution. 

Each of the five units of instruction contains performance objectives, learning activities, and supporting information in the form of 

text, exercises, and tables. In addition, suggested teaching techniques 

are included. At the back of this package are objective-based evaluation 

items, a page of answers to the exercises and tests, a list of metric 

materials needed for the activities, references, and a list of suppliers. 

Classroom experiences with this instructional .package suggest the 

following teaching-learning strategies: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

-!. 

5. 

6. 

Let the first experiences be informal to make learning the metric 

system fun. 

Students learn better when metric units are compared to familiar 

objects. Everyone should learn to "think metric." Comparing 

metric units to customary units can be confusing. 

Students will learn quickly to estimate and measure in metric units 

by ·'doing." 

Students should have experience with measuring activities before 

getting too much information. 

Move through the units in an order which emphasizes the sim· 

plicity of the metric system (e .g., length to area to volume). 

Teach one concept at a time to avoid overwhelming students with 

too much material. 

Unit 1 is a general introduction to the metric system of measurement which provides informal, hands-on experiences for the students. 

This unit enables students to become familiar with the basic metric 

units, their symbols, and measurement instruments; and to develop a 

set of mental references for metric values. The metric system of notation also is explained. 

Unit 2 provides the metric terms which are used in this occupation 

and gives experience with occupational measurement tasks. 

Unit 3 focuses on job-related metric equivalents and their relationships. 

Unit 4 provides expe.rience with recogmzmg and using metric 

instru~ and tools in occupational measurement tasks. It also provides experience in comparing metric and customary measurement instruments. 

Unit 5 . is designed to give students practice in converting customary and metric measurements. Students should learn to "think metric" 

and avoid comparing customary and metric units. However, skill with 

conversion tables will be useful during the transition to metric in each 

occupation. 

Using These Instructional Materials 

This package was designed to help students learn a core of knowledge about the metric system which they will use on the job. The 

exercises facilitate experiences with measurement instruments, tools, 

and devices used in this occupation and job-related tasks of estimating 

and measuring. 

This instructional package also was designed to accommodate a 

variety of individual teaching and learning styles. Teachers are encouraged to adapt these materials to their own classes. For example, the 

information sheets may be given to students for self-study. References 

may be used as supplemental resources. Exercises may be used in independent study, small groups, or whole-class activities. All of the 

materials can be expanded by the teacher. 

Gloria S Cooper 

Joel H. :\Iagisos 

Editors 

Th1S publ icat,on was developed pursuant to contract No . OEC.0-74-9335 w1th the 

Bureau of OccupatiOnal and Adult Education , U.S. Department of Health. Educa· 

t 1on and Welfare . However. the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily 

reflect the posn,on or policy of the U.S. Office of Education an·d no off1cial 

endorsement by the US Office of Edu cat1on should be inferred. 
1. 

2. 

3. 

UNIT 1 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

These introductory exercises may require 

two or three teaching periods for all five 

areas of measurement. 

Exercises should be followed in the order 

given to best show the relationship 

between length, area, and volume. 

Assemble the metric measuring devices 

(rules, tapes, scales, thermometers, and 

measuring containers) and objects to be 

measured.* 

4. Set up the equipment at work stations 

for use by the whole class or as individualized resource activities. 

5. Have the. students estimate, measure, and 

record using Exercises 1 through 5. 

6. Present information on notation and 

make Table 1 available. 

7. Follow up with group discussion of 

activities. 

*Other school departments may have devices which 

can be used . l\!etric suppliers are listed in the reference 

section. 

~""'A >OR VOCATK>NAL EOUCATOON 

' 

OBJECTIVES 

The student will demonstrate these skills for the Linear, Area, Volume or Capacity, Mass, and 

Temperature Exercises, using the metric terms and measurement devices listed here. 

SKILLS 

1. Recognize and use the 

unit and its symbol for: 

2. Select, use, and read the 

appropriate measuring 

instruments for: 

3. State or show a 

physical reference for: 

4. Estimate within 25o/c 

of the actual measure 

5. Read correctly 

Linear 

(pp. 3. 4) 

millimetre (mm) 

centimetre (em) 

metre (m) 

height, width, or 

length of objects 

metre stick, metric 

tape measure, and 

metric rulers 

RULES OF NOTATION 

Area 

(pp. 5 . 6) 

square 

centimetre 

(cm 2 ) 

square 

metre 

(m2) 

the area of 

a given surface 

EXERCISES 

Volume or Capacity 

(pp. 7 . 8) 

cubic centimetre (cm 3 ) 

cubic metre 

(mJ) 

litre (I) 

millilitre(ml) 

capacity of 

containers 

measurements 

on graduated 

volume measuring devices 

Mass Temperature 

(pp. 9. 10) (p. 11) 

gram (g) degree Celsius 

tel 

kilogram (kg) 

the mass of objects the temperature of 

in grams and kilo- the air or a liquid 

grams 

a kilogram scale A Celsius the rmometer 

and a gram scale 

1. Symbols are not capitalized unless the unit is a proper name (mm not MM). 

2. Symbols are not followed by periods (m not m.). 

3. Symbols are not followed by an s for plurals (25 g not 25 gs). 

4. A space separates the numerals from the unit symbols ( 4 l not 41). 

5. 

6. 

7. 

Spaces, not commas, are used to separate large numbers into groups of three 

digits ( 45 271 km not 45,271 km). 

A zero precedes the decimal point if the number is less than one (0.52 g not .52 g). 

Litre and metre can be spelled either with an -re or -er ending. 

Information Sheet 1 

1 
2 

METRIC UNITS, SYMBOLS, AND REFERENTS METRIC PREFIXES 

Quantity Metric Unit Symbol Useful Referents Multiples and 

Prefixes Symbols Submultiples 

Length millimetre :.nm Thickness of dime or paper 

clip wire 

1 000 000 = 106 mega (meg'a) M 

centimetre em Width of paper clip 1 000 = 103 kilo ( k-u' o) k 

metre m Height of door about 2 m 100 = 102 hecto (hek' to) h 

kilometre km 12-minute walking distance 10 = 10 1 deka (dek'a) da 

Area square Area of this space 

D centimetre 2 em 

Base Unit 1 = 10° 

0 .1 = 10-1 deci (des' f) d 

0.01 = 10 - 2 centi (sen'tl) c 

square metre m2 Area of card table top 0.001 = 10 - 3 milli (mlltf) m 

hectare ha Football field including sidelines 

and end zones 0.000 001 = 10- 6 micro (mi'kro) }1 

Volume and millilitre ml Teaspoon is 5 ml 

Capacity litre I A little more than 1 quart Table 1-b 

cubic 

centimetre cm3 Volume of this container 

OJ 

cubic metre m 3 A little more than a cubic yard 

Mass milligram mg Apple seed about 10 mg, grain of 

salt, 1 mg 

gram g Nickel about 5 g 

kilogram kg Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 

metric ton 

( 1 000 kiloll!ams) t Volkswagen Beetle 

~CENTER FOR VOCATIONAL 'DUCATOON Table 1-a 
LINEAR MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Metre, Centimetre, Millimetre 

I. THE METRE (m) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE SIZE OF A METRE 

1. Pick up one of the metre 

sticks and stand it up on the 

floor. Hold it in place with 

one hand. Walk around the 

stick. Now stand next to 

the stick. With your other 

hand, touch yourself where 

the top of the metre stick 

comes on you. 

THAT IS HOW HIGH A METRE IS! 

2. Hold one arm out straight 

at shoulder height. Put 

the metre stick along this 

arm until the end hits the 

end of your fingers. Where 

is the other end of the 

metre stick? Touch yourself at that end. 

THAT IS HOW LONG A J'v1ETRE IS! 

~C,NT<R '0R VOCATIONAC WUCATOON 

3. Choose a partner to stand 

at your side. Move apart 

so that you can put one 

end of a metre stick on 

your partner's shoulder 

and the other end on 

your shoulder. Look.at 

the space between you. 

THAT IS THE WIDTH OF A METRE! 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN METRES 

Now you will improve your ability to estimate in metres. 

Remember where the length and height of a metre was on your 

body. 

For each of the following items: 

Estimate the size of the items and write your estimate in the 

ESTIMATE column. Measure the size with your metre stick 

and write the answer in the MEASUREMENT column. 

3 

Decide how close your estimate was to the actual measure. If 

your estimate was within 25% of the actual measure you are a 

"Metric Marvel." 

1. Height of door knob 

from floor. 

2. Height of door. 

3. Length of table. 

4. Width of table. 

5. Length of wall of 

this room. 

6. Distance from 

you to wall. 

Estimate 

(m) 

Measurement 

(m) 

How Close 

Were You? 

Exercise 1 

(continued on next page) 
4 

II. THE CENTIMETRE (em) 

T.here are 100 centimetres in one metre. lf thpre are 4 metre~ and 

3 cen timetres, you write 403 em [ ( 4 x 100 em) + 3 em = 400 em 

+ 3 em] . 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE SIZE OF A CENTIIVIETRE 

1. Hold the metric ruler against the width of your thumbnail. 

How wide is it? em 

2. l\.1easure your thumb from the first joint to the end. 

em 

3. Use t he metric ruler to find the width of your palm. 

em 

4. Measure your index or pointing finger. How long is it? 

em 

5. Measure your wrist with a tape measure . \Vhat is the distance 

around it? em 

6. Use t he tape measure to find your waist size. __ ___J..__ em 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN CENTIMETRES 

You are now ready t o estimate in centimetres. For each of the 

following items, follow the procedures used for estimating in 

metres. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Length of a paper 

clip . 

Diameter (widt h) 

of a coin. 

Width of a 

post age stamp. 

Length of a 

pencil . 

Width of a sheet 

of paper . 

Estimate 

(em) 

R roR VOCAT>ONAL EDUCAT>ON 

'Measurement 

(em) 

How Close 

Were You? 

Ill. THE MILLIMETRE (mm) 

There are 10 millimetrE's in one cPntimetre. \Vhen a measurement is 

2 centimetres and 5 millimetres, you write 25 mm [ (2 x 10 mm) 

+ 5 mm = 20 mm + 5 mm]. There are 1 000 mm in 1 m. 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE SIZE OF A l\IILLIMETRE 

Using a ruler marked in rnillimetres, measure: 

1. Thickness of a paper clip wire. mm 

2. Thickness of your fi ngernail. mm 

3. Width of your fingernail. mm 

4. Diameter (width)of a coin. mm 

5. Diameter (thickness) of your pencil. mm 

6. Width of a postage stamp. mm 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN MILLIMETRES 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

You are now ready to estimate in millimetres. For each of the 

following items, follow the procedures used for estimating in 

metres. 

Thickness of a 

nickel. 

Diameter (thickness) 

of a bolt. 

Length of a bolt. 

Width of a sheet 

of paper. 

Thickness of a board 

or desk top. 

Thickness of a 

button. 

Estimate 

(mm) 

How Close 

Measurement Were You? 

(mm) 

Exercise 1 
AREA MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Square Centimetre, Square Metre 

WHEN YOU DESCRIBE THE AREA OF SOMETHING, YOU ARE 

SAYING HOW l'vL.\NY SQUARES OF A GIVEN SIZE IT TAKES TO 

COVER THE SURF ACE. 

I. THE SQUARE CENTIMETRE (cm2 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A SQUARE CENTIMETRE 

1. Take a clear plastic grid, or use the grid on page 6. 

2. Measure the length and width of one of these small 

squares with a centimetre ruler. 

THAT IS ONE SQUARE CENTIMETRE! 

3. Place your fingernail over the grid. About how many 

squares does it take to cover your fingernail? 

___ cm2 

4 . Place a coin over the grid. About how many squares 

does it take to cover the coin? cm2 

5. Place a postage stamp over the grid. About how many 

squares does it take to cover the postage stamp? 

___ ,cm2 

6. Place an envelope over the grid. About how many 

squares does it take to cover the envelope? 

___ cm2 

7. Measure the length and width of the envelope in centimetres. Length em; width em. 

Multiply to find the area in square centimetres. 

em x em = cm2 . How - - -- close are the answers you have in 6. and in 7.? 

~·NnR 'OR VOCATOONAC <OUCATOON 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN SQUARE 

CENTIMETRES 

You are now ready to develop your ability to estimate 

in square centimetres. 

Remember the size of a square centimetre . For each of the 

following items, follow the procedures used for estimating in 

metres. 

5 

Estimate 

(cm2 ) 

l\1easurement 

(cm2 ) 

How Close 

Were You? 

1. Index card. 

2. Book cover. 

3. Photograph. 

4. Window pane or 

desk top. 

IL THE SQUARE METRE (m2 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A SQUARE METRE 

1. Tape four metre sticks together to make a square which 

is one metre long and one metre wide. 

2. Hold the square up with one side on the floor to see how 

big it is. 

3. Place the square on the floor in a corner. Step back and 

look. See how much floor space it covers. 

4. Place the square over a table top or desk to see how 

much space it covers. 

5. Place the square against the bottom of a door. See how 

much of the door it covers. How many squares would it 

take to cover the door? m2 

THIS IS HOW BIG A SQUARE METRE IS! 

Exercise 2 

(continued on next page) 
6 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN SQUARE CENTIMETRE GRID 

METRES 

You are now ready. to estimate in square metres. Follow the 

procedures used for estimating in metres. 

How Close 

Estimate Measurement Were You? 

(mz) (mz) 

1. Door. 

2. Full sheet of 

newspaper. 

3. Chalkboard or 

bulletin board. 

4. Floor. 

5. Wall. 

6. Wall chart or poster. 

7. Side of file cabinet. -

Exercise 2 
VOLUME MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Cubic Centimetre, Litre, Millilitre, Cubic Metre 

I. THE CUBIC CENTIMETRE ( cm3 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE CUBIC CENTIMETRE 

1. Pick up a colored plastic cube. Measure its length, 

height, and width in centimetres. 

THAT IS ONE CUBIC CENTIMETRE! 

2. Find the volume of a plastic litre box. 

a. Place a ROW of cubes against the bottom of one side 

of the box. How many cubes fit in the row? ___ _ 

b. Place another ROW of cubes against an adjoining side 

of the box. How many rows fit inside the box 

to make one layer of cubes? ___ _ 

How many cubes in each row? ___ _ 

How many cubes in the layer in the bottom of the 

box? ___ _ 

c. Stand a ROW of cubes up against the side of the box. 

How many LAYERS would fit in the box? ___ _ 

How many cubes in each layer? ___ _ 

How many cubes fit in the box altogether? ___ _ 

THE VOLUME OF THE BOX IS ___ CUBIC 

CENTIMETRES. 

d. Measure the length, width, and height of the box in 

centimetres. Length em; width em; 

height em. Multiply these numbers to find 

the volume in cubic centimetres. 

em x em x em = cm3 . --- ---- Are the answers the same in c. and d.? 

~ENnR O'OR OCATOON~ WUCATOON 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTil\1ATE IN CUBIC 

CENTIMETRES 

You are now ready to develop your ability to estimate 

in cubic centimetres. 

Remember the size of a cubic centimetre. For each of 

the following items, use the procedures for estimating in 

1. 

metres. 

Index card file 

box. 

2. Freezer container. 

3. Paper clip box. 

4. Box of staples. 

II. THE LITRE (I) 

Estimate 

(cm3 ) 

Measurement 

(cm3 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A LITRE 

How Close 

Were You? 

1. Take a one litre beaker and fill it with water. 

7 

2. Pour the water into paper cups, filling each as full as you 

usually do . How many cups do you fill? 

THAT IS HOW MUCH IS IN ONE LITRE! 

3. Fill the litre container with rice. 

THAT IS HOW MUCH IT TAKES TO FILL A ONE 

LITRE CONTAINER! 

Exercise 3 

(continued on next page) 
8 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN LITRES 

You are now ready to develop your ability to estimate in 

litres. To write two and one-halflitres, you write 2.5 I, or 

2.5 litres. To write one-half litre, you write 0.5 l, or 0.5 

litre. To write two and three-fourths litres, you w1ite 

2.751, or 2.75 litres. 

For each of the following items, use the procedures for 

estimating in metres. 

1. Medium-size 

freezer container. 

2. Large free zer 

container. 

3. Small freezer 

container. 

4 . Bottle or jug. 

Estimate 

(l) 

:Measurement 

(I) 

How Close 

Were You? 

III. THE .MILLILITRE (ml) 

There are 1 000 millilitres in one litre. 1 000 ml = 1 litre. Half 

a litre is 500 millilitres, or 0.5 litre= 500 ml. 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A MILLILITRE 

1. Examine a centimetre cube. Anything which holds 

1 em 3 holds 1 mi. 

2. Fill a 1 millilitre measuring spoon with rice. Empty the 

spoon into your hand. Carefully pour the rice into a 

small pile on a sheet of paper. 

THAT IS HOW MUCH ONE MILLILITRE IS! 

3. Fill the 5 ml spoon with rice. Pour the rice into another 

pile on the sheet of paper. 

THAT IS 5 l\.1ILLILITRES, OR ONE TEASPOON! 

4. Fill the 15 ml spoon with rice. Pour the rice into a third 

pile on the paper. 

THAT IS 15 MILLILITRES, OR ONE TABLESPOON! 

·NT·R '00 VOCATOONAC <DUC ATOON 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN .MILLILITRES 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

You are now ready to estimate in millilitres. Follow the 

procedures used for estimating metres. 

Small juice can. 

Paper cup or tea 

cup. 

Soft drink can. 

Bottle. 

Estimate 

(ml) 

How Close 

.Measurement Were You? 

(ml) 

IV. THE CUBIC :METRE (m3 ) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A CUBIC METRE 

1 . Place a one metre square on the floor next to the wall. 

2. Measure a metre UP the wall. 

3. Picture a box that would fit into that space. 

THAT IS THE VOLUME OF ONE CUBIC l\1ETRE! 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN CUBIC ~1ETRES 

For each of the following items, follow the estimating procedures used before. 

1. Office desk. 

2. File cabinet. 

3. Small room. 

How Close 

:Measurement Were You? 

(mJ) 

Exercise 3 
MASS (WEIGHT) MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Kilogram, Gram 

The mass of an object is a measure of the amount of matter in the 

object. This amount is always the same unless you add or subtract some 

matter from the object. Weight is the term that most people use when 

they mean mass. The weight of an object is affected by gravity; the 

mass of an object is not. For example, the weight of a person on earth 

might be 120 pounds; that same person's weight .on the moon would be 

20 pounds. This difference is because the pull of gravity on the moon 

is less than the pull of gravity on earth. A person's mass on the earth 

and on the moon would be the same. The metric system does not 

measure weight--it measures mass. We will use the term mass here. 

The symbol for gram is g. 

The symbol for kilogram is kg. 

There are 1 000 grams in one kilogram, or 1 000 g = 1 kg. 

Half a kilogram can be written as 500 g,or 0.5 kg. 

A quarter of a kilogram can be written as 250 g,or 0.25 kg. 

Two and three-fourths kilograms is written as 2.75 kg. 

I. THE KILOGRAM (kg) 

DEVELOP A FEELING FOR THE MASS OF A KILOGRAM 

Using a balance or scale, find the mass of the items on the table. 

Before you find the mass, notice how heavy the object "feels" 

and compare it to the reading on the scale or balance. 

~ENTER "'" VOCATOONAC 'OUCAT>O. 

1. 1 kilogram box. 

2. Textbook. 

3. Bag of sugar. 

4. Package of paper. 

5. Your own mass. 

!\tass 

(kg) 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIMATE IN KILOGRAMS 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

For the following items ESTIMATE the mass of the object in 

kilograms, then use the scale or balance to find the exact mass 

of the object. Write the exact mass in the MEASURElVfENT 

column. Determine how close your estimate is: 

Bag of rice. 

Bag of nails. 

Large purse or 

briefcase. 

Another person. 

A few books. 

Estimate 

(kg) 

:Measurement 

(kg) 

How Close 

Were You? 

Exercise 4 

(continued on next page) 

9 
10 

II. THE GRAM (g) 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR A GRAM 

1. Take a colored plastic cube. Hold it in your hand. 

2. 

Shake the cube in your palm as if shaking dice. Feel the 

pressure on your hand when the cube is in motion, then 

when it is not in motion. 

THAT IS HOW HEAVY A GRAM IS! 

Take a second cube and attach it to the first. Shake the 

cubes in first one hand and then the other hand; rest 

the cubes near the tjps of your fingers, moving your 

hand up and down. 

THAT IS THE MASS OF TWO GRAMS! 

3. Take five cubes in one hand and shake them around. 

THAT IS THE MASS OF FIVE GRAMS! 

~"<HR '0R VOCATOONAC >OUCMOON 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTil\1ATE IN GR.-\\18 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

You are now ready to improve your ability to estimate in 

grams. Remember how heavy the 1 gram cube is, how heavy 

the two gram cubes are, and how heavy the five gram cubes 

are. For each of the following items, follow the procedures 

used for estimating in kilograms. 

Two thumbtacks. 

Pencil. 

Two-page letter 

and envelope. 

Nickel. 

Apple. 

Package of 

margarine. 

Estimate Measurement 

(g) (g) 

How Close 

Were You? 

Exercise 4 
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES 

Degree Celsius 

I. DEGREE CELSIUS tC) 

Degree Celsius (°C) is the metric measure for temperature. 

A. DEVELOP A FEELING FOR DEGREE CELSIUS 

Take a Celsius thermometer. Look at the marks on it. 

1. Find 0 degrees. 

WATER FREEZES AT ZERO DEGREES CELSIUS (0°C) 

WATER BOILS AT 100 DEGREES CELSIUS (100°C) 

2. Find the temperature of the room. °C. Is the 

room cool, warm, or about right? 

3. Put some hot water from the faucet into a container. 

Find the temperature. °C. Dip your finger 

quickly in and out of the water. Is the water very hot, 

hot, or just warm? 

4. Put some cold water in a container with a thermometer. 

Find the temperature. °C. Dip your fin ger into 

the water. Is it cool, cold, or very cold? 

5. Bend your arm with the inside of your elbow around the 

bottom of the thermometer. After about three minutes 

find the temperature. °C. Your skin temperature is not as high as your body temperature. 

NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE IS 37 DEGREES 

CELSIUS ( 37° C). 

A FEVER IS 39°C. 

A VERY HIGH FEVER lS 40°C. 

a:3 CENnR roo """ATOONAL EOUCATOON 

B. DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO ESTIJ\1A.TE IN DEGREES 

CELSIUS 

11 

For each item, ESTIMATE and write down how many degrees 

Celsius you think it is. Then measure and write the MEASUREMENT. See how close your estimates and actual measurements are. 

1. Mix some hot and 

cold water in a 

container. Dip your 

finger into the 

water. 

2. Pour out some of 

the water. Add some 

hot water. Dip your 

finger quickly into 

the water. 

3. Outdoor temperature. 

4. Sunny window sill. 

5. Mix of ice and water. 

6. Temperature at 

floor. 

7. Temperature at 

ceiling. 

How Close 

Measurement Were You? 

(OC) 

Exercise 5 
12 

UNIT 2 

OBJECTIVES 

The student will recognize and use the metric 

tel'l"ffi, units, and symbols used in thi? occupation. 

• 

• 

Given a metric unit, state its use in this 

occupation. 

Given a measurement task in this occupation, select the appropriate metric unit 

and measurement tool. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Assemble metric measurement tools (rules, 

tapes, scales, thermometers, etc.) and 

objects related to this occupation. 

2. Discuss with students how to read the 

tools. 

3. Present and have students discuss 

Information Sheet 2 and Table 2. 

4. Have students learn occupationallyrelated metric measurements by completing Exercises 6 and 7. 

5. Test performance by using Section A of 

"Testing Metric A~ilities." 

~R roR VOCAnoNAC <OUCATOON 

METRICS IN THIS OCCUPATION 

Changeover to the metric system is under way. Large corporations are already using 

metric measurement to compete in the world market. The metric system has been used in 

various parts of industrial and scientific c;ommunities for years. Legisiation, passed in 

1975, authorizes an orderly transition to use of the metric system. As businesses and 

industries make this metric changeover, employees will need to use metric measurement 

in job-related tasks. 

Table 2 lists those metric terms which are most commonly used in this occupation. 

These terms are replacing the measurement units used currently. What kinds of jobrelated tasks use measurement? Think of the many different kinds of measurements you 

now make and use Table 2 to discuss the metric terms which replace them. See if you 

can add to the list of uses beside each metric t erm . 

Information Sheet 2 
13 

METRIC UNITS FOR HORTICULTURE 

QUANTITY UNIT SYMBOL USE QUANTITY UNIT SYMBOL USE 

Length millimetre mm rainfall, soil depth Dilutions or 

centimetre em ribbon, floral arrangement 

metre m bed in greenhouse, table 

length, irrigation hose or pipe 

Area square centimetre cm2 

m2 walk, sod, concrete, bed 

square metre 

Concentrates 

(Cont'd) 

Liquids millili tres per mlfl 

litre fertilizer, sprays, pesticides, 

grams per litre g/1 cleaning solutions 

(powder mixed 

hectare ha sod, orchard, field in liquid) 

Volume/ millilitre ml sprays, liquid fertilizers, water 

Capacity per plant, growth regulators 

Density kilograms per kg/m3 storage capacity of tanks, bins, 

cubic metre storage areas 

litre 1 liquid fertilizers, pesticides, 

fungicides 

Crop Yields kilograms per kg/m2 greenhouse vegetables 

square metre 

Temperature degree Celsius oc greenhouse night or day, plant 

growth requirement 

kilograms per kg/ha 

hectare field and orchard crops 

Mass gram g fertilizers, rooting hormones metric ton per t/ha 

hectare 

kilogram kg compost, fertilizers, crops, soil 

metric ton t compost, soil 

Pressure kilo pascals kPa liquids and gases, tire pressure, 

spray tank pressure, 

sterilizing soil 

Application Rates grams per square g/m2 seed, fertilizer, pesticides 

Dry or granular meter Wind speed kilometres per km/h sowing, spraying, fertilizing, 

hour plant protection 

kilograms per kg/ha seed, fertilizer, pesticides hectare 

Liquid millilitres per ml/m2 fertilizer, pesticides 

square metre 

Depth of water millimetres per mm/m2 

applied to soil square metre 

millimetres per mm/ha 

hectare 

litres per square l/m2 soil sterilants 

metre Flow Rates litres per second 1/s .irrigation 

litres per hectare 1/ha liquid fertilizer, pesticides cupic metres per m3 /s 

second 

Dilutions or · grams per g/kg 

Concentrates kilogram fertilizer, pesticides Velocity of metres per .m/s 

Flow second 

Dry mixes kilograms per kg/t metric ton 

grams per cubic g/m3 

Water holding millimetre per mm/mm 

capacity of soil millimetre 

metre seedbed preparation, compost 

kilograms per kg/t metric ton 

~·NT·R •OR VOCAT>ONAC •ouCATOON Table 2 
14 

TRYING OUT METRIC UNITS 

To give you practice with metric units, first estimate the measure- Estimate Actual 

ments of the items below. Write down your best guess next to the item. 

Then actually measure the item and write down your answers using the 16. Measuring cup (metric) 

correct metric symbols. The more you practice, the easier it will be. 

17. Oasis 

Estimate Actual 

18. Pots 

Length 19. Bucket 1. Palm width 

2. Hand span 20. Small box Ol' package 

3. Your height 21. Crop container {basket, crate, 

bag) 

4. Grass height 22. Freezer container 

5. Space between plant rows 

Mass 

6. Mature or cut flower length 23. Textbook 

7. Shrub height 24. Nickel 

8. Small tree height - 25. Yourself 

9. Greenhouse or lawn 26. A bag of fertilizer 

Area 27. A quantity of seed or soil 

lb. Desk top conditioner 

11. Classroom floor 28. A litre of water (net) 

12. Greenhouse bench Temperature 

29. Room temperature 

13. Lawn or plot 

30. Outside temperature 

14. Sheet of paper 

31. Hot tap water 

Volume/Capacity 32. Soil temperature 15. Small bottle 

~ENTER O'OR VOCATOONAC EDUCATOON Exercise 6 
15 

GROWING WITH METRICS 

It is important to know what metric measurement to use. Show 17. Storage capacity of potting 

what measurement to use in the following situations. mixture bin 

1. Height of floral table centerpiece 18 . Excavation necessary for swimming . 

2. Dilution rate for a liquid fertilizer pool 

19. Flow rate for ditch irrigation 3. Application rate for granular 

fertilizer 20. Length of stemmed roses for sale 

4. Application rate for a liquid - 21. Length of scions for grafting fruit 

insecticide trees 

5. Yield rate of greenhouse tomatoes 22. Capacity of tractor fuel tank 

6. Spark plug gap 

7. Height of mature fruit tree 

8. Application rate of lime to lawn 

Dl 1 1 I I I 1 r 9. Fertilizer rate to potting mixture ......._ 

~ 10. Insecticide spray rate to green- ~ ~ house bench . UT TIJ 

11. Mixing rate for rooting 

~ 

(J 

hormone 

'--- __,) 

12. Height of cabbage seedling transI plant f---

~ f-----

13. Seeding rate for a field f--

14. Maximum wind speed tolerable for I----

spraying 

15. Tire pressure for rear tractor tires 

16. Yield of apple orchard 

Exercise 7 
16 

UNIT 3 

OBJECTIVE 

The student will recognize and use metric equivalents. 

• Given a metric unit, state an equivalent 

in a larger or smaller metric unit. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Make available the Information Sheets 

( 3 - 8) and the associated Exercises 

(8- 14), one at a time. 

2. As soon as you have presented the 

Information, have the students. complete 

each Exercise. 

3. Check their answers on the page titled 

ANSWERS TO EXERCISES AND 

TEST. 

4. Test performance by using Section B of 

"Testing Metric Abilities." 

~ 0<""R "'" VOCAT""'AC WUCATOON 

METRIC-METRIC EQUIVALENTS 

Centimetres and Millimetres 

(

jlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljlllljllllj 

1 2 3 4 5 6 ( l'"'l''''l''''l''''l''''l''''l''''l''''l''''l'lllj!llljlllljlllljlli 1 2 3 4 5 6 

Look at the picture of the nail next to the ruler. The nail is 57 mm long. This is 5 em+ 7 mm. 

There are 10 rp_m in each em, so 1 mm = 0.1 em (one-tenth of a centimetre). This means that 

7 mm = 0.7 em, so 57 mm 5 em+ 7 mm 

5 em+ 0.7 em 

= 5.7 em. Therefore 57 mm is the same as 5.7 em. 

Now measure the paper clip. It is 34 mm. This is the same as 3 em + mm. Since each 

millimetre is 0.1 em (one-tenth of a centimetre), 4 mm = em. So, the paper clip is 

34 mm = 3 em + 4 mm 

3 em+ 0.4 em 

3.4 em. This means that 34 mm is the same as 3.4 em. 

Information Sheet 3 

Now you try some. 

a ) 26 mm == em e ) 132 mm em 

b) 583 mm"' em f ) 802mm em 

c ) 94mm = em g ) 1400 mm em 

d ) 680 mm == em h ) 2 307 mm em 

Exercise 8 
Metres, Centimetres, and Millimetres 

There are 100 centimetres in one metre. Thus, 

2m = 2x100cm = 200cm, 

3m = 3 x 100 em = 300 em, 

8 m = 8 x 100 em= 800 em, 

36m = 36 x 100 em = 3 600 em. 

There are 1 000 millimetres in cine metre, so 

2 m = 2 x 1 000 mm = 2 000 mm, 

3 m = 3 x 1 000 mm = 3 000 mrn, 

6 m = 6 x 1 000 mm = 6 000 miT'~ 

24 m = 24 x 1 000 mm = 24 000 mm. 

From your work with decimals you should know that 

one-half of a metre can be written 0.5 m (five-tenths of a metre), 

one-fourth of a centimetre can be written 0.25 em 

(twenty-five hundredths of a centimetre ). 

This means that if you want to change three-fourths of a metre to 

millimetres, you would multiply by 1 000. So 

0.75 m = 0.75 x 1 000 mm 

75 

100 x 1 000 mm 

1 000 

75 x 100 mm 

75 x 10 mm 

750 mm. This means that 0.75 m = 750 mm. 

Information Sheet 4 

Fill in the following chart. 

metre centimetre millimetre 

m em mm 

1 100 1 000 

2 200 

3 

9 

5 000 

74 

0 .8 80 

0.6 600 

2.5 25 

1-18 

639 

~ENT<R ""' VOCATOONAC EOUCATOON 

Exercise 9 

Millilitres to Litres 

There are 1 000 millilitres in one litre. This means that 

2 000 millilitres is the same as 2 litres, 

3 000 ml is the same as 3 litres, 

.t 000 ml is the same as 4 litres, 

12 000 ml is the same as 12 litres. 

17 

Since there are 1 000 millilitres in each litre, one way to change milli· 

litres to litres is to divide by 1 000. For example, 

1 000 

Or 

1 000 ml = 1 000 litre = 1 litre. 

2 000 

2 000 ml = 1 OOO litres = 2 litres. 

And, as a final example, 

28 000 

28 000 ml = 1 000 litres = 28 litres. 

What if something holds 500 ml? How many litres is this? This is 

worked the same way, 

500 ml = 1 ~~~litre = 0.5 litre (five-tenths of a litre ). So 500 ml 

is the same as one-half (0. 5 ) of a litre. 

Change 57 millilitres to litres. 

57 ml = 1 ~~ litre = 0.057 litre (fifty-seven thousandths of a 

litre). 

Information Sheet 5 

Now you try some. Complete the following chart. 

mill iii tres litres 

(ml) (I) 

3 000 3 

6 000 

8 

1-1-000 

23 

300 0.3 

700 

0.9 

250 

0.,!7 

275 

Exercise 10 
18 

Litres to Millilitres 

What do you do if you need to change litres to millilitres? Remember, 

there are 1 000 millilitres in one litre, or 1 litre = 1 000 ml. 

So, 

2 litres = 2 x 1 000 ml = 2 000 ml, 

7 litres = 7 x 1 000 ml = 7 000 ml, 

13 litres =13 x 1 000 ml =13 000 ml, 

0.65 litre = 0.65 x 1 000 ml = 650 mi. 

Information Sheet 6 

Now you try some. Complete the following chart. 

litres millilitres 

I ml 

8 8 000 

5 

46 

32 000 

0.4 

0.53 

480 Exercise 11 

Grams to Kilograms 

There are 1 000 grams in one kilogram. This means that 

2 000 grams is the same as 2 kilograms, 

5 000 g is the same as 5 kg, 

700 g is the same as 0.7 kg, and so on. 

To change from grams to kilograms, you use the same procedure for 

changing from millilitres to litres. 

Information Sheet 7 

Try the following ones. 

grams kilograms 

g kg 

4 000 4 

9 ooo 

23 000 

8 

300 

275 Exercise 12 

Kilograms to Grams 

To change kilograms to grams, you multiply by 1 000. 

4 kg = 4 X 1 000 g = 4 000 g, 

23 kg = 23 X 1 000 g = 23 000 g, 

0.75 kg= 0.75 X 1 000 g = 750 g. 

Information . Sheet 8 

Complete the following chart. 

kilograms grams 

kg g 

7 7 000 

11 

25 000 

0.4 

0.63 

175 Exercise 13 

Changing Units at Work 

Some of the things you use in this occupation may be measured in 

different metric units. Practice changing each of the following to 

metric equivalents by completing these statements. 

a ) 500 em of rope is ___________ m 

b ) 250 ml of solution is l 

c ) 5 em diameter pipe is. __________ mm 

d ) 2 500 g of seed is kg 

e ) 120 mm root cutting is em 

f ) 0.25 l of liquid nutrient is ml 

g ) 2 000 kg of soil is t 

h ) 0.5 l of concentrate is ml 

i ) 2 m board is mm 

j ) 500 g of seed is kg 

k ) 500 ml rooting hormone is_ l 

l ) 0.5 t of fertilizer is kg 

m) 10m of wire is em 

n ) 2.5 em diameter pipe is mm 

o ) 2 400 mm flower bed is em 

Exercise 14 
UNIT 4 

OBJECTIVE 

The student will recognize and use 

instruments, tools, and devices for measurement tasks in horticultural occupations. 

• Given metric and Customary tools, 

instruments, or devices, differentiate 

between metric and Customary. 

• Given a horticultural measurement task, 

select and use an appropriate tool, instrument or device. 

e Given a metric measurement task, judge 

the metric quantity within 25% and 

measure within 5% accuracy. 

SUGGEST&D TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Assemble metric and Customary measur- ing tools and devices (rules, scales, °C 

thermometer, drill bits, wrenches, 

micrometer, vernier calipers, feeler gages) 

and display in separate groups at learning 

stations. 

2. Have students examine metric tools and 

instruments for distinguishing characteristics and compare them with Customary 

tools and instruments. 

3. Have students verbally describe charac- teristics. 

4. Present or make available Information 

Sheet 9. 

5. Mix metric and Customary tools or 

equipment at learning station. Give 

students Exercises 15 and 16. 

6. Test performance by using Section C of 

"Testing Metric Abilities." 

~'NT'R O'OR VOCATION~ <DUCATOON 

SELECTING AND USING 

METRIC INSTRUMENTS , TOOLS AND DEVICES 

Selecting an improper tool or misreading a scale can result in an improper sales form, 

damaged materials, or injury to self or fellow workers. For example, putting 207 pounds per 

square inch of pressure (psi) in a tractor tire designed for 207 kilopascals (about 30 psi) could 

cause a fatal accident. Here are some suggestions: 

1. Find out in advance whether Customary or metric units, tools, instruments, or products are needed for a given task. 

2. Examine the tool or instrument before using it. 

3. The metric system is a decimal system. Look for units marked off in whole numbers, 

tens or tenths, hundreds or hundredths. 

4. Look for metric symbols on the tools or gages such as m, mm, kg, g, kPa, etc. 

5. Look for decimal fractions (0.25) or decimal mixed fractions (2.50) rather than common fractions (3/8) on drill bits, feeler gages, etc. 

6. Some products may have a special metric symbol such as a block M to show they are 

metric. 

7. Don't force bolts, wrenches, or other devices which are not fitting properly. 

8. Practice selecting and using tools, instruments, and devices. 

Information Sheet 9 

19 
20 

WHICH TOOLS FOR THE JOB? 

Practice and prepare to demonstrate your ability to identify, 

select, and use metric-scaled tools and instruments for the tasks given 

below. You should be able to use the measurement tools to the appropna . t e precision o f th e t l oo , ms . t t t k rumen , or as . 

Select and demonstrate or describe use of tools, instruments, or 

devices to: 

1. Fill customer order for 1.5 kg of bulk grass seed. 

2. Order pre-mixed concrete for a sidewalk as long as your classroom and 1m wide and 10 em thick. 

3. Fill customer order for a floral design 40 em high with a 

diameter of 50 em. 

4. Calculate seed and fertilizer needed for a lawn the size of 

your classroom. 

5. Adjust the height of cut of reel and rotary mowers properly. 

6. Measure and dilute wettable powders to be used in a small 

hand sprayer. 

7. Estimate the cost of a simple tile drainage system the size of 

your classroom. 

8. Calculate and prepare the amount of liquid pesticide needed 

for a small area. 

9. Check proper temperatures in seedbed or storage areas. 

10. Prepare and use a liquid herbicide. The directions state: 

Mix 30 ml of herbicide with 4.5 1 water; spray evenly over 

an area of 24m2 . 

11. Space trees in an orchard. 

12. Change sparkplug(s) in small engine. 

13. Determine the storage area in your cut flower cooler so you 

can compare it with a new model being advertised. 

~C,NTER FOR VOCATIONAL •DUCAnON 

Exercise 15 

I 

MEASURING UP IN HORTICULTURE 

For the horticultural tasks below, estimate the metric measurement to within 25% of actual measurement, and verify the estimation 

by measuring to within 5% of actual measurement. 

Estimate Verify 

1. Cuttings for rooting. 

2. Greenhouse bench, pot, or 

container with propagation 

medium. 

3. Temperatures of: 

a. room 

b. outside 

c. in-door propagation 

area I 

d. seed, cut-flower, or 

rooting storage area 

4. Height of young trees or 

shrubs in centimetres. 

5. Mower cutting height in 

centimetres. 

6. Size of brandy snifter 

for floral design in 

litres. 

7. The spacing of trees L'l 

an orchard. 

8. Scions for fruit tree 

grafting. 

9. Floral design in centimetres: 

a. height 

b. diameter 

10. Volume of a storage bin. 

11. Area of a lawn or stakedoff area. 
UNIT 5 

OBJECTIVE 

The student will recognize and use metric 

and Customary units interchangeably in ordering, selling, and using products and supplies in 

this occupation. 

• Given a Customary (or metric) measurement, find the metric (or Customary) 

equivalent on a conversion table. 

• Given a Customary unit, state the replacement unit. 

SUGGESTED TEACHING SEQUENCE 

1. Assemble packages and containers of 

materials. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Present or make available Information 

Sheet 10 and Table 3. 

Have students find approximate metricCustomary equivalents by using 

Exercise 17. 

Test performance by using Section D of 

"Testing Metric Abilities." 

~·NHR "'R VOCATOONAC WUCMOON 

METRIC-CUSTOMARY EQUIVALENTS 

During the transition period there will be a need for finding equivalents between systems. 

Conversion tables list calculated equivalents between the two systems. When a close equivalent 

is needed, a conversion table can be used to find it. Follow these steps: 

1. Determine which conversion table is needed. 

21 

2. Look up the known number in the appropriate column; if not listed, find numbers you 

can add together to make the total of the known number. 

3. Read the equivalent(s) from the next column. 

Table 3 on the next page gives an example of a metric-Customary conversion table which 

you can use for practice in finding approximate equivalents. Table 3 can be used w1th Exercise 

17, Part 2 and Part 3. 

Below is a table of metric-Customary equivalents which tells you' what the metric replacements for Customary units are.* This table can be used with Exercise 17, Part 1 and Part 3. The 

symbol "'=' means "nearly equal to." 

1 em"'=' 0.39 inch 

1 m ::::::: 3.28 feet 

1 m "'=' 1.09 yards 

1 km ::::::: 0.62 mile 

1 cm2 ::::::: 0.16 sq in 

1m2 =::: 10.8 sq ft 

1 m 2 ::::::: 1.2 sq yd 

1 hectare ::::::: 2.5 acres 

1 inch "'=' 2.54 em 

1 foot ::::::: 0.305 m 

1 yard::::::: 0.91 m 

1 mile "'=' 1.61 km 

1 sq in ::::::: 6.5 cm2 

1 sq ft ::::::: 0. 09 m 2 

1 sq yd :::::::-0.8 m 2 

1 acre ::::::: 0.4 hectare 

1 cu in::::::: 16.4 cm3 

1 ml "'=' 0.2 tsp 

1 ml::::::: 0.07 tbsp 

1 l ::::::: 33.8 fl oz 

11::::::: 4.2 cups 

1 I::::::: 2.1 pts 

1 I::::::: 1.06 qt 

11::::::: 0.26 gal 

1 gram "'=' 0.035 oz 

1 kg::::::: 2.2 lb 

1 tsp =::: 5 ml 

1 tbsp :::::: 15 ml 

1 fl oz =::: 29.6 ml 

1 cup =::: 237 ml 

1 pt :::::: 0.4 7 l 

1 qt :::::: 0.95 l 

1gal =::: 3.79l 

1 oz :::::: 28.3 g 

1 cm 1 lb :::::: 0.45 kg 3 ::::::: 0.06 cu in 

1m3 =::: 35.3 cu ft 

1 m 3 ::::::: 1.3 cu yd 

1 cu ft::::::: 0.03 m3 

1 cu yd "'=' 0.8 m3 

1 metric ton "'=' 2205 lb 

1 kPa::::::: 0.145 psi 

1 ton :::::: 907.2 kg 

1 psi :::::: 6.895 kPa 

*Adapted from Let's Measure Metric. A Teacher's Introduction to Metric Afeasurement. Division of Educational 

Redesign and Renewal, Ohio Department of Education, 65 S. Front Street, Columbus, OH -!3215. 1975. 

Information Sheet 10 
22 

CONVERSION TABLES 

SQUARE FEET TO SQUAR.E METRES 

ft2 m 2 ft 2 m 2 ft2 m 2 ft 2 m2 

1000 92.90 100 9.29 10 0.93 1 0.09 

2000 185.81 200 18.58 20 1.82 2 0.19 

3000 278.81 300 27.88 30 2.79 3 0.28 

4000 371.61 400 37.16 40 3.72 4 0.37 

5000 464.52 500 46.45 50 4.65 5 0.46 

6000 557.42 600 55.74 60 5.57 6 0.56 

7000 650.32 700 65.03 70 6.50 7 0.65 

8000 743.22 800 74.32 80 7.43 8 0.74 

9000 836.13 900 83.61 90 8.36 9 0.84 

SQUARE METRES TO SQUARE FEET 

m2 ft 2 m2 ft 2 m2 ft 2 m2 ft 2 

100 1076.39 10 107.64 1 10.76 0.1 1.08 

200 2152.78 20 215.28 2 21.53 0.2 2.15 

300 3229.17 30 322.92 3 32.29 0.3 3.23 

400 4305.56 40 430.56 4 43.06 0.4 4.31 

500 5381.96 50 538.20 5 53.82 0.5 5.38 

600 6458.35 60 645.83 6 64.58 0.6 6.46 

700 7534.74 70 753.47 7 75.35 0.7 7.53 

800 8611.13 80 861.11 8 86.11 0.8 8.61 

900 9687.52 90 968.75 9 96.87 0.9 9.69 

NTER O'OR VOCATK>NAL EDUCATK>N Table 3 
23 

ANY WAY YOU WANT IT 

1. You are working in a garden center, nursery, floral shop green- k) 876ft~ = m2 n) 1159 m2 - ' ft. 2 

house, or in turf management. With the change to metric mea- l ) 46 ft. 2 = mz 0) 490m2 = ft. 2 

surement some of the things you order, sell or use are marked 

m) 1413 ft. 2 = m2 p) 68m2 = ft. 2 

only in metric units. You will need to be familiar with appropriate Customary equivalents in order to communicate with 3. Complete the Sales Slip by converting the following items to 

customers and suppliers who use Customary units. To develop metric quantities. The metric unit price is given for you. 

your skill use the Table on Information Sheet 10 and give the Determine the total price foJ:Oeach item. Complete all of the approximate metric quantity (both number and unit) for each blanks on the Sales Slip (Date, Customer Name, Tax, Totals, of the following Customary quantities. etc.). 

Customary Quantity Metric Quantity J terns Purchased Metric Unit Price 

a ) a ) 5 lb. grass seed $5.00 per kg 2 lb. grass seed b ) 40 lb. fertilizer 3.00 per 10 kg b ) 4 qts. starter solution c ) 1 qt. pesticide 2.50 per litre 

c ) 3/4 in. pipe d) 100ft. bean poles 1.00 perm 

d ) 5 in. pot -

e ) 100 lb. fertilizer SALES SLIP 

f ) 18 in. plant Date : 

g ) two-gallon can Sold To: 

h) 1 pint pesticide Address: - i ) 1 fl. oz. spray concentrate City: State: 

j ) 3 miles 

k) 1/2 in. pipe Qty. Item Unit Total 

l ) 5 acre plot 

m) 2 ft. row space . 

n) 6 in. plant space 

0) 1/4 in. seed depth 

2. Use the conversion tables from Table 3 to convert the following: 

a ) 90 ft. 2 = m2 f ) 800m2 = ft. 2 

b) 30 ft. 2 = m2 g ) 1620 m2 = ft. 2 0 Cash Sub Total 

c ) 2500 ft. 2 = m2 h) 498m2 = ft. 2 0 Charge Sales Tax 

d ) 105 ft. 2 = m2 i ) 42m2 = ft. 2 

0 Bankcard TOTAL 

e ) 63 ft. 

2 = m2 j ) 284m2 = ft. 2 

~Em>R O'OR VOCAnONAL EDUCAT>ON Exercise 17 
24 

SECfiON A 

1. One kilogram is about the mass 

of a: 

[A ] nickel 

[ B ] apple seed 

[ C] basket ball 

[D ] Vo lkswagen " Beetle " 

2. A square metre is about the 

area of: 

[A ) this sheet of paper 

[B] a card table top 

[ C ) a bedspread 

[ D ) a postage st amp 

3. Application rates of dry fertilizers 

for lawns are normally given in: 

[A] grams per square centimetre 

[B] kilograms per square centimetre 

[C ] litres per square metre 

[D ] grams per sq uare metre 

4. The mass of bulk seeds is measured in: 

[A ] cubic metres 

[B ] millilitres 

[C ] centimetres 

[D] kilograms 

5. The correct way t o write twenty 

grams is: 

[A) 20 gms 

[B ] 20 Gm. 

[C ) 20 g. 

(D ] 20 g 

6. The correct way to write twelve 

thousand millimetres is: 

[A) 12.000 mm. 

[B) 12.000 mm 

[C) 1200 0mm 

[D) 12 0 00 mm 

SECTIONB 

7. A board 20 centimetres wide also 

has a width of: 

[A ] 2 000 m illimetres 

[B] 2 millimetres 

[ C ] 200 millimetres 

[D] 0.2 millimetre 

8. A 750 gram sack o f potting 

medium is the same as: 

[A] 0.75 kilogram 

[B] 7 50 000 kilograms 

[ C ] 7. 5 kilograms 

[D ] 7 500 kilograms 

SECTION C 

9 . For measuring hectares you 

would use a: 

[A ] cont ainer 

[B] tape 

[C ] pressure gage 

[D] scale 

10. For measuring kilopascals you 

would use a : 

[A] scale 

[B ] cont ainer 

[C] ruler 

[D] pressure gage 

11. Estimate the length of the line 

segment below: 

[A) 23 grams 

[B) 6 centimetres 

[C) 40 millimetres 

[D] 14 pascals 

12. Estimate the length of the line 

segment below: 

1-----l 

[A J 10 millimetres 

[B) 4 centimetres 

[ C ] 4 pascals 

[ D ] 2 3 milligrams 

SECTION D 

13. The metric unit for liquid measure 

which replaces the fluid ounce is: 

[A] litre 

[B] cubic metre 

[ C ] millilitre 

[D] gram 

14. The metric unit for liquid measure 

which replaces the gallon is: 

(A] litre 

[B] kilogram 

[C] cubic metre 

[D] millilitre 

m 2 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

15. 

16. 

Use this conversion table to answer questions 15 and 16. 

ft 2 ft2 

10.76 1 

21.53 2 

32.29 3 

43.06 4 

53.81 5 

64.58 6 

75.35 7 

86.11 8 

96.87 9 

107 .64 10 

The equivalent of 14 ft. 

2 is: 

(A] 37.16 m 2 

[B] 2.6 m 2 

[C] 0.93 m 2 

[D] 1.3 m 2 

The equivalent of 15 m 2 is: 

[A] 8.73 ft? 

[B] 161.45 ft. 2 

[C] 973.06 ft. 2 

[D] 97.33 ft. 2 

m2 

0.09 

0.18 

0.28 

0.37 

0.46 

0.56 

0.65 

0.74 

0.841 

0.93 

~'""'"'""VOCATOON~Eoue.&nON TESTING METRIC ABILITIES 
ANSWERS TO EXERCISES AND TEST 

EXERCISES 1 THRU 6 

The answers depend on the items 

used for the acti\·ities. 

EXERCISE 7 

Currently accepted metric units of 

measurement for each .question are 

shO\\·n m Table 2. Standards in each 

occupation are being established 

now. so answers may vary . 

EXERCISE 8 

a) 2.6 em e) 13.2 em 

b) 58.3 em f) 80.2 em 

c) 9.--± em g) 1--±0.0 em 

d) 68 .0 em h) 230.7 em 

EXERCISES 9 THRU 13 

Tables are reproduced in total. Answers are in parentheses. 

Exercise 9 

metre centimetre millimetre 

m em mm 

l ' 100 I 1 000 

2 I 200 (2 000) •') 

0 (300) 13 000 ) 

9 I 1.900) (9 000) 

(5 ) ( 500 ) 5 000 

7-l ( 7 -100) l 1/ .J 000) 

0.8 ! 80 I t800) 

! 0.6 160) 600 

i (0 .025 ) ') ~ 

.o 25 

I to .us) (U.S l 1-18 

(6 .39) 1 639 (6 390) 

Exercise 10 

millilitres 

ml 

3 000 

6 000 

I (8 000) 

\1-l 000) 

(23 000) 

300 

100 

(900) 

250 

( -170) 

275 

Exercise 11 

lit res 

l 

8 

(} 

I -16 

(3 2) 

0...! : O.o3 

i (0 .- ~8) 

Exer<::ise 12 

: grams Cf 

" 

.J 000 

9 000 

23 000 

(8 000) 

300 

215 

litres 

l 

3 

( 6) 

8 

(l..f) 

23 

0.3 

( 0. 7) 

0.9 

(0.2 5) 

0.47 

(0.275) 

millilitres 

ml 

8 000 

5 000) 

{ --±6 000) 

32 000 

( -100) 

(530) 

--±80 

kilograms 

kg 

4 

(9) 

(23) 

8 

(0.3) 

(0 .27 5) 

Exercise 13 

kilograms 

\ 

grams 

kg g 

-I 7 000 

11 (11 000) 

('25 ) 25 000 

O . .J ( -i 00) 

0.63 (630 ) 

(0.J.75 ) 175 

Exercise 14 

a ) 5m i ) 2 000 mm 

b ) 0.25 litre j ) 0.5 kg 

c ) 50mm k) 0.5 litre 

d ) 2.5 kg l ) 500 kg 

e ) 12 em m) 1 000 em 

f ) 250 ml n) 25mm 

g ) 2t 0) 240 em 

h) 500 ml 

EXERCISES 15 A~D 16 

The answers depend on the 

items used for the activities. 

EXERCISE 17 

Part 1. 

a ) 0.9 kg i ) 29.6 ml 

b ) 3.8 litres j ) 4.83 km 

e ) 1.905 em k ) 1.27 em 

d) 12.7 em l ) 2 ha 

e ) 45 kg m ) 0.61 m 

f ) 45.72 em n) 15.24 em 

g ) 7.58 litres 0) 0.635 em 

h) 0.47 litre 

Part 2. 

a) 8.36 m2 

b ) 2.79 m2 

e ) 232 .26 m2 

d) 9.75 m2 

e ) 5.85 m2 

f ) 8,611.13 ft.

2 

g) 17,437.53 ft. 2 

h ) 5,360.42 ft. 2 

i ) 452.09 ft.

2 

j ) 3,056.95 ft. 2 

k) 81. 38 m2 

l ) 4.28 m2 

m) 131.27 m2 

n) 12,475.36 ft.

2 

0 ) 5,27 4.31 ft. 2 

p) 731.94 ft. 2 

Part 3. 

a ) 2.25 kg; $11.25 

b ) 18 kg; $5.40 

c ) 0.95 litre; $2.38 

d ) 30.5 m; $30.50 

25 

TESTING METRIC ABILITIES 

1. C 9. B 

2. B 10. D 

3. D 11. B 

4. D 12. A 

5. D 13. C 

6. D 14. A 

7. C 15. D 

8. A 16. B 

-{:{ U.S. GOVERNMENT PR IN T IN G OFF ICE : 1977-757069/6229 

SUGGESTED METRIC TOOLS AND DEVICES 

NEEDED TO COMPLETE MEASUREMENT TASKS 

IN EXERCISES 1 THROUGH 5 

LINEAR 

Metre Sticks 

Rules, 30 em 

Measuring Tapes, 150 em 

*Height Measure 

*Metre Tape, 10m 

*Trundle Wheel 

*Area Measuring Grid 

VOLUME/CAPACITY 

*Nesting Measures, set of 5, 

50 ml - 1 000 ml 

Economy Beaker, set of 6, 

50 ml - 1 000 ml 

Metric Spoon, set of 5, 

1 ml - 25 ml 

Dry Measure, set of 3, 

50, 125, 250 ml 

Plastic Litre Box 

Centimetre Cubes 

(* Optional) 

MASS 

Bathroom Scale 

*Kilogram Scale 

*Platform Spring Scale 

5 kg Capacity 

10 kg Capacity 

Balance Scale with 8-piece 

mass set 

*Spring Scale, 6 kg Capacity 

TEMPERATURE 

Celsius Thermometer 

The Oh•(.) State Un•ver\•tv • 1960 Kenny Road • Columbu\ Otuo 43210 

SUGGESTED METRIC TOOLS AND DEVICES 

NEEDED TO COMPLETE OCCUPATIONAL 

MEASUREMENT TASKS 

In this occupation the tools needed to complete Exercises 6, 

15, and 16 are indicated by''*·" · 

* 

* 

* * 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

A. Assorted Metric Hardware- Hex nuts, washers, screws, 

cotter pins, etc. 

B. Drill Bits- Individual bits or sets, 1 mm to 13 mm range 

C. Vernier Caliper-Pocket slide type, 120 mm range 

D. Micrometer-Outside micrometer caliper, 0 mm to 25 mm 

range 

E. Feeler Gage-13 blades, 0.05 mm to 1 mm range 

F. Metre Tape-50 or 100m tape 

G. Thermometers-Special purpose types such as a clinical 

thermometer 

H. 1 Temperature Devices- Indicators used for ovens, freezing/ 

cooling systems, etc. 

I. Tools- Metric open end or box wrench sets, socket sets, 

hex key sets 

J. Weather Devices- Rain gage, barometer, humidity, wind 

velocity indicators 

K. 1 Pressure Gages- Tire pressure, air, oxygen, hydraulic, fuel, 

etc. 

L. 1 Velocity- Direct reading or vane type meter 

M. Road Map- State and city road maps 

N. Containers-Buckets, plastic containers, etc., for mixing 

and storing liquids 

0. Containers- Boxes, buckets, cans, etc., for mixing and 

storing dry ingredients 

Most of the above items may be obtained from local industrial, 

hardware, and school suppliers. Also, check with your school district's 

math and science departments and/or local industries for loan of their 

metric measurement devices. 

1 Measuring devices currently are not available. Substitute devices (i.e., thermometer) 

may be used to complete the measurement task. 

Tools and Devices List