Video · + 2 min read

(Video) Converting Units of Length: Feet to Meters

by MooMoo Math and Science

This Youtube video by MooMoo Math and Science covers conversion between units of measurement. While we can convert between feet and inches (11 foot equals 1212 inches), our focus here is converting between feet and meters. All three units are measurements of length and distance. We might use these to measure how wide your bedroom is, or how far the drive between two cities is.

Summary\large{\text{Summary}}

We only need one number to convert between feet and meters. A meter is approximately equal to 3.28084 feet3.28084 \text{ feet}. The video includes three examples to explain this concept.

Let’s take a look at the first example.

Convert 1212 meters to feet.

Since we know that there are 3.28084 feet3.28084 \text{ feet} in 1 meter1 \text{ meter}, we can use this information to solve. 12 meters×3.28084 feet1 meter=12 meters×3.28084 feet1 meter=12×3.28084 feet=39.37008 feet\begin{align} 12 \text{ meters} \times \frac{3.28084 \text{ feet}}{1 \text{ meter}} &= 12 \cancel{\text{ meters}} \times \frac{3.28084 \text{ feet}}{1 \cancel{\text{ meter}}} \\ &= 12 \times 3.28084 \text{ feet} \\ &= 39.37008 \text{ feet} \\ \end{align}

The last example explains how to convert meters to inches. We start with the same units as in the first example, but finish with different units. There will be two separate conversions. First we convert from meters to feet. Then we convert from feet to inches. Remember, there are 12 inches12 \text{ inches} in 1 foot1 \text{ foot}.

Convert 7 meters7 \text{ meters} to inches.
7 meters×3.28084  feet1 meter×12 inches1 foot=7 meters×3.28084   feet1 meter×12 inches1 foot=7×3.28084×12 inches=22.96588×12 inches≈275.591 inches\begin{align} &7 \text{ meters} \times \frac{3.28084 \ \text{ feet}}{1 \text{ meter}} \times \frac{12 \text{ inches}}{1 \text{ foot}}\\ &= 7 \cancel{\text{ meters}} \times \frac{3.28084 \ \cancel{\text{ \ feet}}}{1 \cancel{\text{ meter}}} \times \frac{12 \text{ inches}}{1 \cancel{\text{ foot}}}\\ &= 7 \times 3.28084 \times 12 \text{ inches}\\ &= 22.96588 \times 12 \text{ inches}\\ &\approx 275.591 \text{ inches} \end{align}

Now we look at some conversion problems between feet and meters. We can also solve conversion problems between kilometers and miles. This is most useful for longer distances, such as the length driven on a road trip.

Practice Problem 1

Convert 1616 feet to meters. (Round your answer to the nearest whole number)

Choose one answer

Interactive · 1 question

A meter\text{meter} is 3.28084 feet3.28084 \text{ feet}

Meters and feet aren't from the same system of measurement, so conversion between them can be messy. Feet are among the list of Imperial Units. Meters are part of the International System of Units, and are the base unit of measurement for length. In other words, scientists start with meters and convert to other units of length.

For every meter, there are 3.280843.28084 feet. For every foot, there are 0.30480.3048 meters. Meters are sometimes abbreviated with an m\text{m}, and feet with ft\text{ft}. They are defined as being equal this way.\textit{They are defined as being equal this way.} This ensures two people both measuring the same thing in feet get the same answer.

When we want to convert from m to ft, we can just multiply by 3.28084 ft1 m\frac{3.28084\text{ ft}}{1\text{ m}}.

When we want to convert from ft to m, we instead multiply by 1 m3.28084 ft\frac{1\text{ m}}{3.28084\text{ ft}}. No matter which direction we are doing, the units we want to get rid of will cancel out.

Example

So, if we want to convert 11 meter to feet, do this: 1 m×3.28084 ft1 m=1 m×3.28084 ft1 m=3.28084 ft1\text{ m} \times \frac{3.28084\text{ ft}}{1\text{ m}} = \frac{1\text{ m} \times 3.28084\text{ ft}}{1\text{ m}} = \boxed{3.28084\text{ ft}}

Your turn! How many meters\text{meters} are in 5,280 feet5{,}280 \text{ feet}? Round to the third decimal point. In other words, include three place values after the decimal, the thousandths place.

Choose one answer

Illustrated · 1 min

Use the knowledge that 1 meter1 \text{ meter} equals 3.28 feet3.28 \text{ feet} to convert feet\text{feet} to meters\text{meters} and vice versa.

We multiply when converting from bigger to smaller units, divide when converting from smaller to bigger units.

For example:

Feet is a smaller unit than a meter is, since 1 foot1 \text{ foot} is shorter than 1 meter1 \text{ meter}. So, when converting from feet to meters, we divide. 1 ft=13.28 m=0.305 m1\text{ ft} =\frac{1}{3.28}\text{ m}=0.305\text{ m}

1 meter = 3.28 feet

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