Measurement and Conversion Worksheets

Practice and master measurement and conversion with our helpful walkthroughs and downloadable practice worksheets from our team of elite math educators.

Pounds to Dollars

By Crystal Greenfield

Currency is used to buy and sell goods and services. Different countries use different kinds of currency. The value of a country’s currency changes based on the current economic conditions in that country. The relationship between the value of two different currencies is called the exchange rate. The values of different currencies shift at different rates so the exchange rate between two currencies is not constant. There are official government sources that provide up to date information about current exchange rates. The basic unit of currency used in the United Kingdom of Great Britain is called a pound and is represented with the £ symbol. The basic unit of currency used in the United States of America is called a dollar and is represented with the $ symbol. The current exchange rate between pounds and dollars can be used to convert monetary amounts from pounds to dollars or dollars to pounds.

Why is this concept useful?

Knowing how to convert between currencies is very important when traveling to other countries. Knowing the conversion will help you budget your money correctly. It is also useful for understanding global news stories related to the economy.

Where does this concept fit into the curriculum?

Grade 7

How do you convert between these currencies?

Converting between currencies is very similar to converting between other units of measures. The major difference is that the conversion factor of measurements is constant but the exchange rate of currencies changes.

1 foot = 12 inches

Multiply by 12 to change from feet to inches. Divide by 12 to change from inches to feet.

The same method is used to convert from pounds to dollars!

If the current exchange rate of pounds to dollars is

1 pound = 1.42 dollars (May 2021 rate)

then multiply by 1.42 to change pounds to dollars. Divide by 1.42 to change dollars to pounds.

Sample Math Problems

Problem

Convert £50 to dollars using the exchange rate 1 pound = 1.42 dollars

Solution

The exchange rate is a ratio between the value of pounds and dollars so we can solve by finding the equivalent ratio to 1 pound : 1.42 dollars when pounds is 50. Multiplying 1 pound times 50 will equal 50 pounds. If one side of the ratio is multiplied by 50 then the other side is as well.

£1 x 50 : $1.42 x 50

£50 : $71

50 pounds equals $71 dollars.

Problem

Convert $50 to pounds using the exchange rate 1 pound = 1.42 dollars round to the nearest cent.

Solution

The exchange rate is a ratio between the value of pounds and dollars so we can solve it by finding the equivalent ratio to 1 pound : 1.42 dollars when dollars is 50. Find the number when multiplied by 1.42 will equal 50.

1.42 x ? =50

50 d 1.42 = 35.2112676056 which rounds to 35.21

35.21 x 1.42 ~ 50

If one side of the ratio is multiplied by 35.21 then the other side of the ratio is as well.

£1 x 35.21 : $1.42 x 35.21

£35.21 : $50

50 dollars equals 35.21 pounds

Problem

Olivia is planning a trip to San Francisco. She has budgeted £40 per night for a hotel room. The hotel she plans to stay at costs $60 per night. Will she stay under budget?

Solution

The conversion can be done in either direction, as long as both units end up the same. Since Olivia is used to comparing and thinking in pounds, we will change dollars to pounds.

£1: $1.42

? x 1.42 = 60

60 / 1.42 = 42.25

£1 x 42.25 : $1.42 x 42.25

£42.25 : $60

£42.25 > £40

No, Olivia will not stay under budget.

Problem

Liam is planning a trip to London. He has budgeted $90 per night for a hotel room. The hotel he plans to stay at costs £60 per night. Will he stay under budget?

Solution

The conversion can be done in either direction, as long as both units end up the same. Since Liam is used to comparing and thinking in dollars, we will change pounds to dollars.

£1: $1.42

£1x60: $1.42x60

£60: $85.20

$85.20 < $90

Yes, Liam will stay under budget.

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Practice Math Problems

1. Convert £95 to dollars using the exchange rate 1 pound = 1.42 dollars

2. Convert $95 to pounds using the exchange rate 1 pound = 1.42 dollars

3. Leo is planning a trip to London. He has a budget of $400 for food. If he spends £40 per day on food, will he run out of money before the end of the week?

4. Aishani is planning a trip to Houston. She has a budget of £435 for transportation. If a rental car costs $65 per day, how many days can she afford to rent the car?

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