How Would you Convert 5 Feet 6 inches into inches?

Making conversions between different units of measurement is a common and practical math skill needed for many situations in everyday life. In this post, we’ll work through step-by-step how to convert a height of 5 feet 6 inches into total inches. Understanding how to move flexibly between standard units of measurement like feet, inches, yards, miles, etc. is an important competency for math proficiency. Along the way, we’ll also discuss key strategies for converting measurements accurately and efficiently.

How Would you Convert 5 Feet 6 inches into inches?

To convert 5 feet 6 inches into inches:

5 feet = 5 x 12 inches = 60 inches 6 inches = 6 inches Total inches = 60 + 6 = 66 inches

Here’s a table to convert 5 feet 6 inches into inches:

Measurement	Conversion	Inches
Feet	5 feet	60 inches (5 feet * 12 inches/foot)
Inches	6 inches	6 inches
Total		66 inches (60 inches + 6 inches)

So, 5 feet 6 inches is equivalent to 66 inches.

Understanding the Problem

First, let’s interpret exactly what we need to do for this problem. We are given a height measurement of 5 feet 6 inches. Feet and inches are standard imperial units used to measure length or height. Our goal is to convert this composite measurement into just inches. To do this correctly, we need to recall the relationship between feet and inches. Let’s briefly review the basics of length measurement.

Reviewing Feet and Inches

In imperial measurement:

• 12 inches = 1 foot
• 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
• 3 feet = 1 yard
• 5280 feet = 1 mile

These conversion ratios allow us to move between related units of length or distance. In our specific problem, the only facts we need are that there are 12 inches in 1 foot. Holding these relationships in mind will allow us to set up the conversion properly.

Converting Feet and Inches to Inches

Now we’re ready to convert 5 feet 6 inches into just inches. Using the relationship of 12 inches per 1 foot, we can set up our conversion equation:

5 feet = 5 x 12 inches = 60 inches 6 inches = 6 inches Total inches = 60 + 6 = 66 inches

We converted the 5 feet into 60 inches by multiplying by the 12 inches that equals 1 foot conversion ratio. Then we simply added the existing 6 inches to arrive at the total of 66 inches. Methodically applying the right conversion ratios is the key to accurately changing between measurement units.

Checking Our Work

Let’s double check our work using a different method. First, we’ll rewrite the original measurement putting the inches first:

6 inches + 5 feet

Then we’ll covert the feet to inches:

6 inches + (5 x 12 inches) = 6 + 60 = 66 inches

Arriving at 66 inches again gives us confidence that our initial conversion work was correct. Checking work when possible reduces small mistakes.

Key Measurement Conversion Strategies

Let’s recap some key strategies for successfully converting between measurement units:

• Memorize the basic conversion ratios between related units like feet and inches. Fluency with conversion facts enables accurate work.
• Identify what specific units you are converting between and which conversion ratio applies. For feet and inches, utilize that 12 inches = 1 foot.
• Apply the conversion ratios methodically in the setup of your equation. Multiplying or dividing correctly aligns units.
• Write out labels for the units in your work to keep track of cancellations. This helps avoid unit errors.
• Check work using a different approach. Catching small mistakes builds trust in your calculations.
• Practice regular conversions like feet to inches to build familiarity. Fluency develops through experience.

Conclusion

In this post, we walked step-by-step through converting 5 feet 6 inches into a total length of 66 inches. Explaining the reasoning, setup, and work clarify the process for accurate measurement unit conversions. Practicing fundamental conversion skills prepares students for more advanced problems involving unit conversions.

Many STEM fields rely heavily on measurement skills with fluency between systems of units like metric and imperial. Mastering the basics with problems like converting feet and inches builds foundation math skills useful across disciplines.

Whether in construction projects, scientific labs, or everyday recipes and measurements, having competency to move flexibly between feet, inches, centimeters, meters and more opens up a world of practical math applications. Each solved conversion problem brings learners one step closer to measurement mastery.