Go Math! Grade 5, Chapter 10: Convert Units of Measure
In this unit, your child converts measurements, in customary units like feet, pounds, and quarts, and in metric units like meters and grams. They decide whether to multiply or divide, convert within one system, and solve multi-step problems, including ones about elapsed time. It follows the patterns and graphing unit and leads into the final unit on geometry and volume.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Chapter 10?
- Converting customary and metric units, like 3 gallons to 12 quarts or 4,500 meters to 4.5 kilometers, and solving elapsed time problems. Learn more: Converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Nadia asks for 3/4 pound of sliced turkey at the deli. How many ounces of turkey is that?
- 4 ounces
- 9 ounces
- 12 ounces
How you can help
- Look at milk containers at the store. Ask your child how many quarts are in 2 gallons, 8, and how many cups that makes, 32.
- Time an afternoon activity, like a movie that starts at 1:40 and lasts 2 hours 35 minutes. Ask your child when it ends, 4:15, and how many minutes it lasts, 155.
- Read the label on a bag of flour or potatoes, like 5 pounds. Ask your child to convert it to ounces, 80, and explain whether they multiplied or divided.
Where kids can get stuck
- Dividing when they should multiply, so 3 gallons becomes 3 ÷ 4 quarts instead of 12 quarts.
- Treating time like decimals, so 2 hours 35 minutes is written as 2.35 hours.
- Mixing up metric prefixes, so 4,500 meters becomes 45 kilometers instead of 4.5.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- convert
- To change a measurement into a different unit, like feet into inches.
- customary system
- Units like inches, feet, pounds, cups, and gallons.
- metric system
- The measurement system where units change by powers of 10.
- gallon
- A large customary unit of liquid equal to 4 quarts.
- quart
- A customary unit of capacity equal to 4 cups.
- kilometer
- A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters.
- elapsed time
- How much time passes from the start of an event to its end.
- ounce
- A customary unit for weight, or for liquid as fluid ounces.
Want to help your child master converting units?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
Join the club
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Go Math! Grade 5 Chapter 10 cover?
Go Math! Grade 5 Chapter 10 covers this math standard. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
- 5.MD.A.1: Convert between units, like feet and yards, to solve problems.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.