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This topic converts between units of length, mass, capacity, area, volume and time, including compound units and metric conversions. It's examined right across GCSE and iGCSE Maths. Work through it free on eClassroom, with clear worked examples and instantly-marked questions that build your confidence for the exam.
How you do it
Multiply or divide by the conversion factor, deciding which by asking whether the answer should be a bigger or smaller number. For areas square the factor and for volumes cube it.
Before you start
Assumed knowledge: place value and the four operations. Getting it right here pays off in compound measures and scale. It is Foundation and Higher tier material at GCSE and iGCSE.
What you learn
Metric units are linked by powers of 10, so converting between them means multiplying or dividing by 10, 100 or 1000. Going to a smaller unit multiplies (more of them); going to a bigger unit divides. Each step to a smaller unit multiplies; each step to a bigger unit divides. For area, every length factor is squared; for volume, every length factor is cubed. Real problems often need a conversion before you can compare or calculate — for instance, putting two measurements into the same unit first. The course works through metric units, area and volume and conversions in context. Every section has instant-feedback practice questions matched to Edexcel iGCSE 4MA1 and the other major GCSE boards, and the course finishes with full exam-style questions you mark yourself.
Related Topics
Unit Conversion is a Ratio and Proportion topic in the GCSE syllabus, covered here at Foundation tier. You work through 3 concepts and 2 worked examples, testing yourself at 3 points. It sits alongside Compound Measures, Density & Pressure and Direct & Inverse Proportion in the same strand. The Ratio and Proportion revision engine gives you as many extra questions as you want, tracked on your skill tree.
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