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Converting units: area and volume

Converting units: area and volume

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Summary

Converting units: area and volume

​​In a nutshell

Area and volume unit conversions are almost identical to regular unit conversions except for one thing: they involve multiply or dividing by the conversion factor more than once.



Area unit conversions

When converting between units of area, the steps are very similar to converting with regular lengths. However, since area is measured in units squared, multiplying and dividing by the conversion factor has to happen twice.


PROCEDURE

1.

Identify the conversion factor.

2.

Decide whether to divide or multiply.

3.

Divide or multiply by the conversion factor twice.


Tip: Remember the units in your answer should be squared (followed by a 2^2).


Example 1

Take a look at the 1m×1m1m \times 1m  cube. What is its area in metres squared?

Work out the area in metres squared.
1×1=1m21\times1=1m^2

Identify the conversion factor.
1m=100cm1m=100cm
Conversion factor = 100100​​

Multiply by the conversion factor twice to go from metres squared (big) to centimetres squared (small).
1m2×100×100=10,000cm2‾1m^2\times100\times100=\underline{10,000cm^2}​​
​
Maths; Ratio proportion and rates of change; KS4 Year 10; Converting units: area and volume

​

Example 2

What is the area of the rectangle? Give your answer in metres squared.

Work out the area in centimetres squared.

3×5=15cm23\times5=15cm^2


Identify the conversion factor.

1m=100cm1m=100cm

Conversion factor =100=100​​

​

Divide by the conversion factor twice to go from centimetres squared (small) to metres squared (big).

5cm2÷100÷100=0.0015m2‾5cm^2\div100\div100=\underline{0.0015m^2}​​

Maths; Ratio proportion and rates of change; KS4 Year 10; Converting units: area and volume


​

Volume unit conversions

Volume unit conversions are treated in the same way as area conversions except that instead of multiplying/dividing twice, it happens three times.


PROCEDURE

1.

Identify the conversion factor.

2.

Decide whether to divide or multiply.

3.

Divide or multiply by the conversion factor three times.


​Tip: Remember the units in your answer should be cubed (followed by a 3^3​).


Example 3

The cuboid shown has a volume of 2.5m32.5m^3. What is its volume in centimetres cubed?​

Work out the conversion factor.

1m=100cm1m=100cm

Conversion factor =100=100​


Multiply by the conversion factor three times to go from metres cubed (big) to centimetres cubed (small).

2.5m3×100×100×100=2,500,000cm3‾2.5m^3\times100\times100\times100=\underline{2,500,000cm^3}

​
Maths; Ratio proportion and rates of change; KS4 Year 10; Converting units: area and volume


Read more

Learn with Basics

Length:
Volume: Comparing, adding and subtracting

Unit 1

Volume: Comparing, adding and subtracting

Formulae for the area and volume of shapes

Unit 2

Formulae for the area and volume of shapes

Jump Ahead

Converting units: area and volume

Unit 3

Converting units: area and volume

Final Test

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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert between units of volume?

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