KS4 Mathematics

S8 Measures
1 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Contents

S8 Measures
AS8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings

2 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Converting units
It is important to be able to convert between a variety of
units quickly and accurately.
1) When using a formula
For example, if we are using a formula to find the volume
of an object we must make sure that all the lengths are
written using the same units before using the formula.
2) When comparing measurements
For example, suppose one mother gives the weight of her
baby in pounds and another mother gives the weight of her
baby in kilograms.
How
To
compare
can we the
compare
weights
thewe
babies
convert
weights?
them to the same unit.
We usually use metric units for calculations.
3 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Metric units
The metric system of measurement is based on powers of
ten and uses the following prefixes:
KiloCentiMilliMicro-

meaning one thousand

meaning one hundredth
meaning one thousandth
meaning one millionth

These prefixes are then followed by a base unit.

The base unit for length is metre.
metre.
The base unit for mass is gram.
The base unit for capacity is litre.
litre.
4 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Metric units of length, mass and capacity

You should know the following metric conversions for
length, mass and capacity (liquid volume):
Length

Mass

1 km = 1000 m
1 tonne = 1000 kg
1 m = 100 cm
1 kg = 1000 g
1 m = 1000 mm
1 g = 1000 mg
1 cm = 10 mm

5 of 51

Capacity and
Volume
1 litre = 1000 ml
1 cl = 10 ml
1 m3 = 1000 litres
1 cm3 = 1 ml

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Metric units of area and volume

The metric units for area are mm 2, cm2, m2 and km2.
1 m2 = 100 cm 100 cm

1 cm2 = 10 mm 10 mm

1 m2 = 10,000 cm2

1 cm2 = 100 mm2

The metric units for volume are mm 3, cm3, m3 and km3.

1 m3 = 100 cm 100 cm 100 cm
1 m3 = 1,000,000 cm3
1 cm3 = 10 mm 10 mm 10 mm
1 cm3 = 1000 mm3
6 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Converting metric units

To convert from a larger metric unit to a smaller
one we need to multiply
_______ by 10, 100, or 1000.
For example,

Convert 0.43 kg to grams

0.43 kg = 0.43 1000 g
= 430 g

To convert from a smaller metric unit to a larger

one we need to _______
divide by 10, 100, or 1000.
For example,

Convert 7.6 cm to metres

7.6 cm = 7.6 100 m
= 0.076 m

7 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Converting metric units

8 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Ordering units

9 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Imperial units
Imperial units are still frequently used and you should be
aware of the following imperial conversions:
1 foot = ___
12 inches
1 yard = ___
3 feet
1 pound = ___
16 ounces
1 stone = ___
14 pounds
1 gallon = ___
8 pints
10 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Converting imperial units

We can convert between metric and imperial units using the
following approximate conversions:
5 miles is about ___
8 kilometres
1 foot is about ___
30 centimetres
1 inch is about ___
2.5 centimetres
1 kilogram is about ___
2.2 pounds
1 gallon is about ___
4.5 litres
1 litre is about ____
1.75 pints

11 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Converting imperial units

1 kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.
About how many kilograms are there in 1 stone?
1 stone = 14 pounds
Every 2.2 pounds is worth about 1 kilogram. This means
that we have to divide 14 pounds by 2.2 to find the
equivalent number of kilograms.
14 pounds 14 2.2 kilograms
= 6.4 kilograms
1 stone is about 6.4 kilograms
12 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Metric and imperial conversions

13 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Spider diagram

14 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Contents

S8 Measures
A S8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings

15 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Continuous measurements
The continuous nature of measurements means that they
can never be exact. There is always an element of
rounding involved.
If we were measuring the length of a pencil, for example, we
would measure to the nearest cm or mm.
These three pencils all measure 14 cm to the nearest cm:

13

14

15

13

14

15

13

14

15

The length of a pencil given as 14 cm to the nearest cm can

be any length between 13.5 cm and 14.5 cm.
16 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Accuracy in measurement
Remember, any measurement given to the nearest whole
unit could be up to half a unit longer or shorter.
Suppose we are told that a pencil measures 14.2 cm.
Can we assume that this measurement is exact?
No, although this measurement has been given to a higher
degree of accuracy it is not exact.
What is the shortest and longest length it could be?
The length l of a pencil given as 14.2 cm, to the nearest 0.1
cm, could be anywhere in the range
14.15 cm l < 14.25 cm
17 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Upper and lower bounds

When we give a range for a measurement as in:
14.15 cm length < 14.25 cm
this value is called
the lower bound

This is an
inequality

and this value is

called the upper bound.

The length could be equal to 14.15 cm so we use a greater

than or equal to symbol.
If the length was equal to 14.25 cm however, it would have
been rounded up to 14.3 cm. The length is therefore strictly
less than 14.25 cm and so we use the < symbol.
18 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Upper and lower bounds

19 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Contents

S8 Measures
A S8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings

20 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Adding measures
The following triangle has sides of length 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm.
3 cm

5 cm

What is the range of possible

lengths for the perimeter?

4 cm
The least the lengths could be is 2.5 cm, 3.5 cm and 4.5 cm.
The smallest possible perimeter = 2.5 + 3.5 + 4.5 = 10.5 cm
The most the lengths could be is 3.5 cm, 4.5 cm and 5.5 cm.
The largest possible perimeter = 3.5 + 4.5 + 5.5 = 13.5 cm
21 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Adding measures
The following triangle has sides of length 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm.
3 cm

5 cm

What is the range of possible

lengths for the perimeter?

4 cm
The range of possible values for the perimeter is
10.5 cm perimeter < 13.5 cm
Notice that the more lengths that are added together the
greater the error on either side.

22 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Adding measures
When a calculation involves adding two or more
measurements together:
The lower bound is found by
adding the lower bounds together

The upper bound is found by

adding the upper bounds together

23 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Calculations involving bounds

A piece of wood measuring 170 cm has
a piece of length 50 cm cut off of it.
These are given to the nearest 10 cm.
What is the range of possible
sizes for the remaining piece?
The original piece of wood could be between 165 cm and
175 cm.
The piece of wood that is cut off could be between 45 cm
and 55 cm.
The smallest possible size of the remaining piece is:
165 55 = 110 cm
24 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Calculations involving bounds

A piece of wood measuring 170 cm has
a piece of length 50 cm cut off of it.
These are given to the nearest 10 cm.
What is the range of possible
sizes for the remaining piece?
The original piece of wood could be between 165 cm and
175 cm.
The piece of wood that is cut off could be between 45 cm
and 55 cm.
The largest possible size of the remaining piece is:
175 45 = 130 cm
25 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Calculations involving bounds

A piece of wood measuring 170 cm has
a piece of length 50 cm cut off of it.
These are given to the nearest 10 cm.
What is the range of possible
sizes for the remaining piece?
The original piece of wood could be between 165 cm and
175 cm.
The piece of wood that is cut off could be between 45 cm
and 55 cm.
The range of possible sizes for the remaining piece is:
110 cm length < 130 cm
26 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Calculations involving bounds

The angles in the following diagram are rounded to the
nearest degree:
This angle could
be between 34.5
and 35.5.

35

78

This angle could

be between 77.5
and 78.5.

What is the range of possible values for the angle a?

The smallest a could be is 180 (35.5 + 78.5) = 66
The largest a could be is 180 (34.5 + 77.5) = 68
The range of possible values for a is therefore,
66 a < 68
27 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Subtracting measures
When a calculation involves subtracting two measurements:
The lower bound is found by:
subtracting the upper bound from the lower bound

The upper bound is found by:

subtracting the lower bound from the upper bound

28 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Calculations involving bounds

The dimensions of a small tile are
given as 15 mm by 18 mm.
18 mm
What is the smallest possible
area the tile could have?
15 mm
The smallest values for the length and the width of the tile
are 14.5 mm by 17.5 mm.
To calculate the smallest possible area we multiply these
values together.
Smallest possible area = 14.5 17.5 = 253.75 mm2
29 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Calculations involving bounds

The dimensions of a small tile are
given as 15 mm by 18 mm.
18 mm
What is the largest possible
area the tile could have?
15 mm
The largest values for the length and the width of the tile are
15.5 mm by 18.5 mm.
To calculate the largest possible area we multiply these
values together.
Largest possible area = 15.5 18.5 = 286.75 mm2
30 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Calculations involving bounds

The dimensions of a small tile are
given as 15 mm by 18 mm.
18 mm
What is the range of possible
values for the area?
15 mm
The smallest value for the area is 253.75 mm2 and the
largest value for the area is 286.75 mm 2
The range of possible values for the area is therefore,
253.75 mm2 area < 286.75 mm2
31 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Multiplying measures
When a calculation involves multiplying two or more
measurements together:
The lower bound is found by:
multiplying the lower bounds together

The upper bound is found by:

multiplying the upper bounds together

32 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Calculations involving bounds

A boy runs 200 metres in 27.8 seconds.
The distance is given to the nearest metre and the time is
given to the nearest tenth of a second.
What is his greatest possible
average speed to 2 decimal places?
The distance could be between 195.5 m and 200.5 m.
The time taken could be between 27.75 s and 27.85 s.
greatest possible greatest distance
200.5 m
=
=
= 7.23 m/s
average speed
shortest time
27.75 s

33 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Dividing measures
When a calculation involves dividing two measurements:
The lower bound is found by:
dividing the lower bound by the upper bound

The upper bound is found by:

dividing the upper bound by the lower bound

34 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Contents

S8 Measures
A S8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings

35 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Compound measures

Which is heavier: a kilogram of cotton wool

or a kilogram of rocks?
36 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Compound measures
Of course, a kilogram of rocks weighs the same as a
kilogram of cotton wool they both weigh one kilogram!
If you thought that the rocks were heavier, you were probably
thinking of their density rather than their weight.
Density is an example of a compound measure.
It is a measure of the mass of an object per unit volume.
Density is usually measured in g/cm3 or kg/m3. It can also
be measured in kg/l.
A density of 1.2 g/cm3 means that every 1 cm3 of the material
has a mass of 1.2 grams.
37 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Compound measures
Which is heavier: 1 cm3 of cotton wool or 1 cm3 of rock?
This is a more sensible question. Rock is denser than cotton
wool and so 1 cm3 of rock is heavier than 1 cm3 of cotton wool.
We can find the density of a given material using the
following formula:
mass
Density =
volume
For example, if a block of metal has a mass of 760 g and a
volume of 80 cm3:
Density =
38 of 51

760
= 9.5 g/cm3
80
Boardworks Ltd 2005

Compound measures
We use compound measures when we are comparing how
one measurement changes with another.
When one measurement changes in direct proportion with
another it is said to change at a constant rate.
For example, suppose a man is running around a race track.
The total distance he has run changes with time.
The rate at which he runs is called his speed.
distance travelled
Speed =
time taken
Speed is usually measured in km/h, m/s or mph.
39 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Average speed
In many situations the speed is not constant.
For example, the man running around the track will probably
speed up or slow down as he runs.
We can still calculate his average speed using the following
formula:
total distance travelled
Average speed =
total time taken
For example, if the man runs 1560 metres in 300 seconds
1560
Average speed =
= 5.2 m/s
300
40 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Common compound measures

Commonly used compound measures include:
Density

mass
volume

Measured in g/cm3,
kg/m3 or kg/l.

Speed

distance
time

Measured in m/s, km/h

or mph.

Pressure

force
surface area

Measured in N/m2 or
N/cm2.

Fuel consumption

distance
volume

Measured in km/l or
mpg.

41 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Pairs compound measures

42 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Calculating densities

43 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Converting compound units

What is 45 mph in m/s?
When we convert compound units we usually have to do it in
several steps, especially if both units are being changed.
45 mph stands for 45 miles per hour.
We have to change the 45 miles into metres and 1 hour into
seconds.
5 miles = 8 km
45 miles 45 1.6 km
So 1 mile = 1.6 km
= 72 km
= 72,000 m
1 hour = 60 minutes
= 3600 seconds
44 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Converting compound units

What is 45 mph in m/s?
Travelling 45 miles in 1 hour is equivalent to travelling 72 000 m
in 3600 seconds.
72,000
Therefore,
45 mph
m/s
3600
= 20 m/s
How could we use this answer to convert any
speed given in mph to a speed in m/s?
45 mph 20 m/s
Dividing by 5 we have, 9 mph 4 m/s
We can divide the speed in mph by 9 and multiply it by 4.
45 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Contents

S8 Measures
A S8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings

46 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Bearings
Bearings are a measure of direction taken from North.
If you were travelling North you would be travelling on a
bearing of 000.
If you were travelling from the point P in the direction
shown by the arrow then you would be travelling on a
bearing of 075.
000.
N
75
P

47 of 51

Bearings are always measured

clockwise from North and are
written as three figures.

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Compass points
000
N

315
NW

045
NE

270 W

E 090

SW
225

48 of 51

SE
S
180

135

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Measuring bearings

49 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Back bearings
The bearing from point A to point B is 105.
What is the bearing from point B to point A?
N

The angle from B to A is

N
A

105 + 180 = 285

105
?
105

This is called a back

bearing.

B
180

50 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005

Investigating back bearings

51 of 51

Boardworks Ltd 2005