Measuring

Measuring length

Measure things with clips and with a ruler, and compare the lengths.

You can measure with anything, as long as every one is the same size. Lay paper clips end to end and count them.

Clips are fine for a pencil but useless for a road. That is why everybody agrees to share the same units.

Worked example

A crayon is 4 clips long. Each clip is 3 cm. How long is the crayon?

  1. Four clips, each one 3 long: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3.

    The same length, counted four times.

Try it together

Your turn. Every clip is 3 cm long.

    1.Three clips fit along a crayon. How long is the crayon, in centimetres?

    Watch out

    Always start measuring at the very end of the thing. Starting halfway along gives you the wrong length.

    Have a go

    Have a go. A ribbon is 25 cm long and you cut off 10. How long is the piece left?

    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