- Define and explain Measuring Length in your own words
- Use key terms such as Capacity accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
This lesson focuses on Measuring Length: compare and measure length using rulers and centimetres.
Compare and measure length using rulers and centimetres.
Key ideas
Measuring length
Longer things cover more distance, and we measure length with centimetres and metres using a ruler. Always line up the 0 mark with one end.
Comparing measures
Words like longer, heavier and holds more only make sense when you compare two things directly — always name both sides of the comparison.
Key term — Capacity: How much a container can hold, measured in millilitres or litres.
Which is longer: 1 metre or 90 centimetres?
1 metre — it equals 100 cm, which is more than 90 cm.
Answer: 1 metre — it equals 100 cm, which is more than 90 cm.
- Reading the wrong end of the ruler Always start measuring from the 0 mark, not from the end of the ruler.
- Calling every four-sided shape a square A square needs four equal sides and four right angles; a rectangle has opposite sides equal instead.
Practice
6 — a hexagon has six sides and six vertices.
250 ml — 500 − 250 = 250.
A cube.
Grape, apple, bag of flour — from lightest to heaviest.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "Capacity"?
A ribbon is 45 cm long. 15 cm is cut off. How long is left?
- Measuring Length: compare and measure length using rulers and centimetres.
- Measuring length: Longer things cover more distance, and we measure length with centimetres and metres using a ruler.
- Side: A straight edge of a flat shape.
- Watch out for: reading the wrong end of the ruler