Change between units
From cooking and buying paint to reading medicine doses and planning a trip, converting units is something your child will do for life. It also sets up the ratio and rate work of 6th grade, where changing units is a central step, and science classes, where an answer in the wrong unit counts as wrong. Knowing when to multiply and when to divide is the key part.
In this video, your child will learn to change between units, like centimeters and meters.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
3 meters = ? centimeters
Example 2
180 centimeters = ? meters
Your child's turn
1 meter = 100 centimeters. 250 centimeters = ? meters
The three key steps
- 1Into a smaller unit? Multiply.
- 2Into a bigger unit? Divide.
- 3Match the units first.
Mistakes to listen for
- Dividing when they should multiply, so 4 yards becomes 4 ÷ 3 feet instead of 4 × 3 = 12 feet.
- Treating feet and inches like decimals, writing 5 feet 8 inches as 5.8 feet instead of 5 2/3 feet.
- Forgetting to convert back at the end, answering 96 ounces when the question asked for pounds, which is 6.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms →
Is your child ready to practice what they've learned?
Bobby's Math Club offers unlimited practice for free.
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More 5th grade Measurement & Data, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
Practice converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms
Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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