Students should be able to:

• Identify numerical prefixes and suffixes
• Relate numerical prefixes and suffixes to quantities such as hundreds, thousands, millions etc.
• Convert between units using dimensional analysis
• Calculate a conversions factor from dimensional analysis
• Solve word problems using dimensional analysis
• Convert between g and kg without the fact sheet.
• Convert between cm, m and km without the fact sheet.

In medieval times, an team of ox could plow a furrow in a day. How long is this furrow as measured in meters?

To do this you would use a technique called dimensional analysis. (Sometime this system is also called the "factor label" system.) This technique uses the units or dimensions of the numbers to create a math relationship that will allow you to switch between units. This is done by changing equations to fractions.

If you had the following setup, how would your math teacher show you to solve it?

An eqaulity describes two concepts as being equal. The statement, "5280 feet = 1609 meters," is an equality. The "Fact Sheet" lists many equalities that wil be used in class. This particular fact sheet does not show all the equalities. It shows a collection of equalities that will use most often in this course. (Note there are a few equalities you need to memorize for this course. These equalities will not be appear on any fact sheet passed out for your tests or quizes.) Equalities can be written as fractions. For example.

This is a useful tool. This means that any unit equality can be written as a fraction. Back to the original question, "In medieval times a team of ox could plow a furrow in a day. How long is this furrow as measured in meters?"

The video above can be found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUa3ORM8xjE

This is a very basic dimensional analysis. In class we will discuss conversion of fractional units and units raised to a power. Click here for the class notes.