Customary Weight Conversion

Customary Weight Conversion

When converting customary weight units, first identify the starting unit and the target unit. Common customary weight units include ounces, pounds, and tons. The key is to know how the units relate to one another so you can move between them correctly.

1) Use the unit relationship

Move from a larger unit to a smaller unit by multiplying. Move from a smaller unit to a larger unit by dividing. For example, if the problem asks for a result in a smaller unit, the number should get larger; if it asks for a larger unit, the number should get smaller.

2) Convert step by step

If the conversion is not directly between two units, convert through the unit in the middle. This helps keep the calculation organized and reduces mistakes.

3) Simplify the final answer

Write the answer in the requested unit and reduce it as much as possible. If the result can be written with a whole number and a leftover amount, make sure it is simplified correctly.

4) Check your work

Ask whether the answer makes sense. A quantity converted to a smaller unit should be numerically larger, and a quantity converted to a larger unit should be numerically smaller. Reversing the conversion should bring you back to the original amount.