Measurement

Measuring with standard units

Choose a sensible unit for a length, a weight or an amount of liquid, and add and take away measurements.

Everything we measure has its own kind of unit. Length has one kind, weight another, and liquid another again.

Pick a unit that fits

Choose a unit close to the size of the thing. A room is measured in metres, but a pencil is measured in centimetres.

Worked example

One ribbon is 60 cm long and another is 25 cm long. How much longer is the first?

  1. Both are in the same unit, so simply take one from the other: 60 - 25.

    Measurements can only be added or taken away when their units match.

Try it together

Let us work out how much water two jugs hold.

One jug holds 4 l and the other holds 3 l.

    1.Both jugs are measured in the same unit. What is 4 + 3?

    Have a go

    Have a go on your own: one rope is 45 cm and another is 35 cm. How long are they together? Give just the number.

    Hint: Same unit both times, so add.

    Ready to practise?

    Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.

    Print a worksheet