Skill: Convert customary length units

Explanation and Free Practice Resources

Customary length conversion represents the same distance in different units by using fixed equivalences: 12 inches equal 1 foot, 3 feet equal 1 yard, and 5,280 feet equal 1 mile. Quantities can therefore be converted by multiplying when moving to a smaller unit and dividing when moving to a larger unit, while preserving the measured length and labeling the result; this scope centers on whole-number measurements and does not include metric conversions or generalized decimal conversion rates.

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Detailed Explanation: Convert customary length units

To convert a customary length, use an equivalent relationship:

$12$ inches $=1$ foot
$3$ feet $=1$ yard
$5{,}280$ feet $=1$ mile

When changing to a smaller unit, multiply. When changing to a larger unit, divide.

Example: Convert $4$ yards to feet.

Since feet are smaller than yards, multiply by $3$ :

4\text{ yards}\times 3\frac{\text{feet}}{\text{yard}}=12\text{ feet}

So, $\boxed{4\text{ yards}=12\text{ feet}}$ .

The yard units cancel, leaving the answer labeled in feet.

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Measurement Conversion - Customary Length Units with Sub Units

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