7.

The Units of the English System

7.1

OBJECTIVES
1. Convert between two English units of measure by substitution 2. Use a unit ratio to convert between English units of measure 3. Simplify denominate numbers 4. Perform operations with denominate numbers

Many arithmetic problems involve units of measure. When we measure an object, we give it a number and some unit. For instance, we might say a board is 6 feet long, a container holds 4 quarts, or a package weighs 5 pounds. Feet, quarts, and pounds are the units of measure. The system you are probably most familiar with is called the English system of measurement. This system is used in the United States and a few other countries. The following table lists the units of measurement you should be familiar with. English Units of Measure and Equivalents
NOTE Dont let the name mislead you. The English system is no longer used in England. England has converted to the metric system, which we will look at in Sections 7.2 and 7.3.

Length
1 foot (ft) 12 inches (in.) 1 yard (yd) 3 ft 1 mile (mi) 5280 ft

Weight
1 pound (lb) 16 ounces (oz) 1 ton 2000 lb

Volume
1 pint (pt) 16 uid ounces ( oz) 1 quart (qt) 2 pt 1 gallon (gal) 4 qt

Time
1 minute (min) 60 seconds (s) 1 hour (h) 60 min 1 day 24 h 1 week 7 days

You may want to use the equivalencies shown in the table to change from one unit to another. Lets look at one approach. Rules and Properties: Converting Units in the English System

To change from one unit to another, replace the unit of measure with the appropriate equivalent measure and multiply.

Example 1 Converting Within the English System

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NOTE We write 5 ft as 5(1 ft) and then change 1 ft to 12 in.

5 ft 5(1 ft) 5(12 in.) 60 in. 3 lb 3(1 lb) 3(16 oz) 48 oz 6 gal 6(1 gal) 6(4 qt) 24 qt 48 in. 48(1 in.) 48

Replace 1 ft with 12 in. Replace 1 lb with 16 oz. Replace 1 gal with 4 qt. Because 12 in. 1 ft, 1 in. 1 ft. 12 1 h. 60

12 ft 4 ft
1

180 min 180(1 min) 180

60 h 3 h
1

Because 60 min 1 h, 1 min

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CHECK YOURSELF 1
Complete each of the following statements.

(a) 4 ft _______ in. (c) 48 oz _______ pt

(b) 12 qt _______ pt (d) 240 s _______ min

Here is another idea that may help you convert units. You can use a unit ratio to convert from one unit to another. A unit ratio is a fraction whose value is 1.

Rules and Properties:

NOTE This is a variation on the
method of units analysis discussed earlier in this text.

Using Unit Ratios

To decide which unit ratio to use, just choose one with the unit you want in the numerator (inches in Example 2) and the unit you want to remove in the denominator (feet in Example 2).

Example 2 Using the Unit Ratio to Convert Convert 5 ft to inches. To convert from feet to inches, you can multiply by the ratio 12 in./1 ft. So, to convert 5 ft to inches, write
NOTE
12 in. is a unit ratio. It 1 ft can be reduced to 1.

5 ft 5 ft

1 ft
12 in.

We are multiplying by 1, and so the value of the expression is not changed. Note that we can divide out units just as we do numbers.

60 in.

CHECK YOURSELF 2
Use a unit ratio to complete each of the following statements.

(a) 240 min _______ h

(b) 64 qt _______ gal

NOTE Historically, units were

associated with various things. A foot was the length of a foot, of course. The yard was the distance from the end of a nose to the ngertips of an outstretched arm. Objects were weighed by comparing them with grains of barley.

You have now had a chance to use two different methods for converting from one unit of measurement to another. Use whichever approach seems easier for you. From our work so far, it should be clear that one big disadvantage of the English system is that the relationships between units are all different. One foot is 12 in., 1 lb is 16 oz, and so on. We will see in Sections 7.2 and 7.3 that this problem doesnt exist in the metric system. In our features on units analysis, we have discussed the difference between denominate numbers (those with units attached) and abstract numbers. A denominate number may involve two or more different units. We regularly combine feet and inches, pounds and ounces, and so on. The measures 5 lb 6 oz and 4 ft 7 in. are examples. When simplifying a denominate number with multiple units, the largest unit should include as much as is possible. For example, 3 ft 2 in. is simplied, whereas 2 ft 14 in. is not.

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THE UNITS OF THE ENGLISH SYSTEM

SECTION 7.1

541

The next example shows the steps used to simplify a denominate number with multiple units.

Example 3 Simplifying Denominate Numbers (a) Simplify 4 ft 18 in.

18 in. and can be simplied. Write 18 in. as 1 ft 6 in. because 12 in. is 1 ft.

5 ft 6 in. (b) Simplify 5 h 75 min.

75 min Write 75 min as 1 h 15 min because 1 h is 60 min.

6 h 15 min

CHECK YOURSELF 3 (a) Simplify 5 lb 24 oz (b) Simplify 7 ft 20 in

Denominate numbers with the same units are called like numbers. We can always add or subtract denominate numbers according to the following rule.

Step by Step: Adding Denominate Numbers

Step 1 Arrange the numbers so that the like units are in the same vertical column. Step 2 Add in each column. Step 3 Simplify if necessary.

Example 4 illustrates this rule for adding denominate numbers.

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Example 4 Adding Denominate Numbers Add 5 ft 4 in., 6 ft 7 in., and 7 ft 9 in.

NOTE The columns here represent inches and feet.

5 ft 4 in. 6 ft 7 in. 7 ft 9 in. 18 ft 20 in. 19 ft 8 in.

NOTE Be sure to simplify the

results.

5 h 75 min 5 h 1 h 15 min

Arrange in a vertical column.

Add in each column. Simplify as before.

NOTE 18 in. is larger than 1 ft

4 ft 18 in. 4 ft 1 ft 6 in.

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CHECK YOURSELF 4
Add 3 h 15 min, 5 h 50 min, and 2 h 40 min.

To subtract denominate numbers, we have a similar rule.

Step by Step: Subtracting Denominate Numbers

Step 1 Arrange the numbers so that the like units are in the same vertical column. Step 2 Subtract in each column. You may have to borrow from the larger unit at this point. Step 3 Simplify if necessary.

Consider the following example of subtracting denominate numbers.

Example 5 Subtracting Denominate Numbers Subtract 3 lb 6 oz from 8 lb 13 oz. 8 lb 13 oz 3 lb 6 oz 5 lb 7 oz

Arrange vertically. Subtract in each column.

CHECK YOURSELF 5
Subtract 5 ft 9 in. from 10 ft 11 in.

As step 2 points out, subtracting denominate numbers may involve borrowing.

Example 6 Subtracting Denominate Numbers Subtract 5 ft 8 in. from 9 ft 3 in.

NOTE Borrowing with
denominate numbers is not the same as in the place-value system, in which we always borrowed 10.

9 ft 3 in. 5 ft 8 in.

Do you see the problem? We cannot subtract in the inches column.

To complete the subtraction, we borrow 1 ft and rename. The borrowed number will depend on the units involved. 9 ft 3 in. 8 ft 15 in. 5 ft 8 in. 3 ft 7 in.
9 ft becomes 8 ft 12 in. Combine the 12 in. with the original 3 in.

We can now subtract.

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THE UNITS OF THE ENGLISH SYSTEM

SECTION 7.1

543

CHECK YOURSELF 6
Subtract 3 lb 9 oz from 8 lb 5 oz.

Certain types of problems involve multiplying or dividing denominate numbers by abstract numbers, that is, numbers without a unit of measure attached. The following rule is used.

Step by Step: Multiplying or Dividing by Abstract Numbers

Step 1 Multiply or divide each part of the denominate number by the abstract number. Step 2 Simplify if necessary.

Examples 7 and 8 illustrate this procedure.

Example 7 Multiplying Denominate Numbers (a) Multiply 4 5 in. 4 5 in. 20 in. or 1 ft 8 in. (b) Multiply 3 (2 ft 7 in.).
NOTE Multiply each part of the denominate number by 3.

2 ft 7 in. 3 6 ft 21 in.

Simplify. The product is 7 ft 9 in.

CHECK YOURSELF 7
Multiply 5 lb 8 oz by 4.

Division is illustrated in the next example.

Example 8
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Dividing Denominate Numbers Divide 8 lb 12 oz by 4.

NOTE Divide each part of the denominate number by 4.

8 lb 12 oz 2 lb 3 oz 4 CHECK YOURSELF 8
Divide 9 ft 6 in. by 3.

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CHECK YOURSELF ANSWERS 1. (a) 48; (b) 24; (c) 3; (d) 4 2. (a) 240 min
4

60 min 4 h; (b) 16
1h
1

3. (a) 6 lb 8 oz; (b) 8 ft 8 in. 4. 11 h 45 min 5. 5 ft 2 in. 6. Rename 8 lb 5 oz as 7 lb 21 oz. Then subtract for the result, 4 lb 12 oz. 7. 20 lb 32 oz, or 22 lb 8. 3 ft 2 in.

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Name

7.1

Exercises
2. 9 gal _______ qt

Section

Date

Complete the following statements.

1. 8 ft _______ in.

ANSWERS
1.

3. 3 lb _______ oz

4. 300 s _______ min

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

5. 360 min _______ h

6. 5 pt _______ oz

7. 4 days _______ h

8. 6 h _______ min

7. 8.

9. 16 qt _______ gal

10. 11 min _______ s

9. 10.

11. 10,000 lb _______ tons

12. 5 mi _______ ft

11. 12. 13.

13. 30 pt _______ qt

14. 64 oz _______ pt

14. 15.

15. 64 oz _______ lb

16. 540 min _______ h

16. 17.

17. 7 yd _______ ft

18. 24 qt _______ gal

18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

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19. 39 ft _______ yd

20. 192 oz _______ lb

21. 8 min _______ s

22. 18 qt _______ pt

23. 24.

23. 192 h _______ days

24. 360 h _______ days 545

ANSWERS
25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 33. 1.55 lb _______ oz 34. 4.72 ft _______ in. 31. 225 s _______ min 32. 44 in. _______ ft 29. 56 oz _______ lb 30. 20 oz _______ pt 27. 7 h _______ min 25. 16 qt _______ pt 26. 7 days _______ h

1 4

28. 43 pt _______ qt

Solve the following applications.

37. 35. Environment. In 1989, the United States emitted approximately 9 million tons of

suspended particulates into the atmosphere. How many pounds of (suspended) particulates did the United States emit in 1989?

38. 36. Environment. In 1989, the United States emitted approximately 20 million tons of 39.

volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. How many pounds of volatile organic compounds did the United States emit in 1989?

37. (a) John is traveling at a speed of 60 mi/h. What is his speed in ft/s?

(b) Use the information in part (a) to develop a method to convert any speed from mi/h to ft/s.

38. Refer to several sources and write a brief history of how the units that are currently
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used in the English system of measurement originated. Discuss some units that were previously used but are no longer in use today.

39. A unit of measurement used in surveying is the chain. There are 80 chains in a mile.

If you measured the distance from your home to school, how many chains would you have traveled?

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ANSWERS Simplify.
40. 4 ft 18 in. 41. 6 lb 20 oz 42. 43. 42. 7 qt 5 pt 43. 7 yd 50 in. 44. 45. 44. 5 gal 9 qt 45. 3 min 110 s 46. 47. 46. 9 min 75 s 47. 9 h 80 min 48. 49. 40. 41.

Add.
48.

50. 49.

8 lb 7 oz 6 lb 15 oz

9 ft 7 in. 3 ft 10 in.

51. 52. 53. 54.

50.

3 h 20 min 4 h 25 min 5 h 35 min

51.

5 yd 2 ft 4 yd 6 yd 1 ft

55. 56. 57.

52. 4 lb 7 oz, 3 lb 11 oz, and 5 lb 8 oz

53. 7 ft 8 in., 8 ft 5 in., and 9 ft 7 in.

58. 59.

Subtract.
54.

9 lb 15 oz 5 lb 8 oz

55.

7 ft 11 in. 4 ft 3 in.

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56.

6 h 30 min 3 h 50 min

57.

7 gal 3 qt 1 gal 3 qt

58. Subtract 2 yd 2 ft from 5 yd 1 ft.

59. Subtract 2 h 30 min from 7 h 25 min. 547

ANSWERS
60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 66. 71. 72. 73. 64. 62. 3 (4 ft 5 in.) 63. 5 (4 min 20 s)

Multiply.
60. 4 13 oz 61. 4 10 in.

Divide. 4 ft 6 in. 2 12 lb 15 oz 3

65.

16 min 28 s 4

67.

25 h 40 min 5

Solve each of the following applications.

68. Construction. A railing for a deck requires pieces of cedar 4 ft 8 in., 11 ft 7 in., and

9 ft 3 in. long. What is the total length of material that is needed?

69. Working hours. Ted worked 3 h 45 min on Monday, 5 h 30 min on Wednesday, and

4 h 15 min on Friday. How many hours did he work during the week?

70. Sewing. A pattern requires a 2-ft 10-in. length of fabric. If a 2-yd length is used,

what length remains?

71. Cooking. You use 2 lb 8 oz of hamburger from a package that weighs 4 lb 5 oz.

How much is left over?

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72. Framing. A picture frame is to be 2 ft 6 in. long and 1 ft 8 in. wide. A 9-ft piece of

molding is available for the frame. Will this be enough for the frame?

73. Plumbing. A plumber needs two pieces of plastic pipe that are 6 ft 9 in. long and

1 piece that is 2 ft 11 in. long. He has a 16-ft piece of pipe. Is this enough for the job?
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ANSWERS
74. 75. 76. 75. Weight limits. Some ights limit passengers to 44 lb of checked-in luggage. Susan

74. Photography. Mark uses 1 pt 9 oz and then 2 pt 10 oz from a container of lm

developer that holds 3 qt. How much of the developer remains?

checks three pieces, weighing 20 lb 5 oz, 7 lb 8 oz, and 15 lb 7 oz. By how much was she under or over the limit?

77. 78. 79.

76. Total weight. Six packages weighing 2 lb 9 oz each are to be mailed. What is the

total weight of the packages?

80. 81.

77. Construction. A bookshelf requires four boards 3 ft 8 in. long and two boards

82. 83. 84. 85.

2 ft 10 in. long. How much lumber will be needed for the bookshelf?

78. Unit pricing. You can buy three 12-oz cans of peanuts for $3 or one large can

containing 2 lb 8 oz for the same price. Which is the better buy?

79. Travel. Rich, Susan, and Marc agree to share the driving on a 12-hour (h) trip. Rich

has driven for 4 h 45 min, and Susan has driven for 3 h 30 min. How long must Marc drive to complete the trip?

86.

Solve each of the following.

80.

2 gal 3 qt 1 pt 3 gal 2 qt 1 pt

81.

7 weeks 3 days 15 hours 3 weeks 9 days 10 hours

82.

13 yd 15 ft 10 in. 9 yd 16 ft 15 in.

83.

8 gal 3 qt 2 pt 5 gal 5 qt 3 pt

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84.

2 weeks 7 days 18 h 40 min 2

85.

4 gal 5 qt 3 pt 10 oz 2

86. The average person takes about 17 breaths per minute. How many breaths have you

taken in your lifetime?

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ANSWERS
87. 88. 89.

87. The average breath takes in about 1 pints of air. The air is about 20% oxygen. Of

1 2 the oxygen that we breathe, about 25% makes its way into our bloodstream. How much oxygen does the average person take in every day?

90. 91.

88. The average number of times a human heart beats per minute is about 72. At what

age has a persons heart beat 1 billion times?

89. Each time a human heart beats, it carries about 1 ounce of blood. How many gallons

of blood does the average human heart carry in a day?

90. What is your age in seconds? (Dont forget about the leap years!)

91. A greyhound can run at an average rate of 37 mi/h for

it take the greyhound to run

5 of a mile? 16

5 of a mile. How long does 16

Answers
1. 96 17. 21 31. 3.75 3. 48 5. 6 7. 96 9. 4 11. 5 19. 13 21. 480 23. 8 25. 32 33. 24.8 35. 18 billion lb 37. 13. 15 27. 435 39. 15. 4 29. 3.5

41. 49. 59. 67. 73. 79. 85.

7 lb 4 oz 43. 8 yd 14 in. 45. 4 min 50 s 47. 10 h 20 min 13 ft 5 in. 51. 16 yd 53. 25 ft 8 in. 55. 3 ft 8 in. 57. 6 gal 4 h 55 min 61. 3 ft 4 in. 63. 21 min 40 s 65. 4 lb 5 oz 5 h 8 min 69. 13 h 30 min 71. 11 lb 13 oz No; length needed is 16 ft 5 in. 75. Under; 12 oz 77. 20 ft 4 in. 3 h 45 min 81. 11 weeks 6 days 1 h 83. 2 gal 1 qt 1 pt 11 gal 1 qt 1 pt 4 oz 87. 229.5 gal 89. 810 gal 91. 0.008 h or 30.4 s
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