Converting from one type of measurement to another is often very confusing. When you are traveling you will likely go to a country that uses the metric system. Just how far is a kilometer? How many feet are in meter? Just what is the temperature when it is 25 degrees Celsius? Converting from metric to Imperial measurements can be as equally confusing.
There are four main types of measurements you need to convert; distance, temperature, weight and volume. There are mathematical formulas to do the actual conversion but I find it more useful to learn a few key equivalents on both scales and then convert from there.
Distance can also be easily converted by learning a few equivalents. Although it may seem like you would be going very fast, 100 kilometers/hour is only 62.5 miles/hour. One mile is equal to 1.6 kilometers. A meter is 39 inches long (or 3.28 feet) and an inch is 2.54 centimeters. 100 centimeters equal a meter. So if something is 1000 meters high then it would be 3,280 feet high.
A fairly simple formula for converting meters to feet is to take the number of meters and times by 3 (x meters x 3 feet) and then add 3 inches for each meter (x meters x 3 inches). Take the number of inches and convert it to feet (x inches / 12= feet) and then add the number of feet to your first total. For example 4 meters multiplied by 3 feet equals 12 feet. 4 meters x 3 inches = 12 inches. 12 inches = 1 foot. 12 feet plus 1 foot = 13 feet. So 4 meters is equal to 13 feet. Easier than you thought?
With temperature, 100 degrees Celsius is equal to the boiling point of water, which is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. 37 Celsius is body temperature or 98.6 Fahrenheit. 30 Celsius is very hot or about 86 Fahrenheit while 20 Celsius is 68 Fahrenheit. O Celsius is the freezing point or 32 Fahrenheit. -20 Celsius is cold, it is -4 Fahrenheit while -40 Celsius is -40 Fahrenheit, or really, really cold. By remembering just a couple of the temperatures, you will have a good idea what it is like outside.
Weight can be converted by remembering that 1 kilogram is equal to 2.2 pounds. An ounce is about 28 grams. Just to confuse things the British use stone as a measure of weight. One stone equals about 14 pounds or about 6.36 kilograms.
Volume is a bit more difficult. A fluid once is equal to 38.41 milliliters while one quart is equal to 1.14 litres. There are 100 ml in a litre. Gallons are even more confusing. An imperial gallon, used in Canada is equal to 4.55 litres while an American gallon is only 4 litres.
Metric is a ten based number system and in theory should be easier to use than the Imperial system but the system that you are most familiar with is the one you will likely feel more comfortable using. By doing some quick and easy conversions in your head, you can have a good idea about the temperature, the distance or speed you are traveling, and the weight or volume of an item. If math is not your thing, you can always carry a conversion chart with you or use an online conversion calculator.
Conversion charts:
http://www.tnrdfilm.com/pdf/metrictable.pdf
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/pesticides/l_7.htm
http://www.myseniorsite.ca/metric_conversion.htm
http://www.westedmall.com/plan/metric.ASP
Calculator: http://www.metric-conversions.org/
