If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

Main content

Measuring lengths with different units

Use different units to measure the same object.

Measuring lengths with different units

Let's measure a fence with squirrels!
The fence is 10 squirrels long.
Now let's measure the same fence with ponies.
The fence is 5 ponies long.
Why did it take fewer ponies to measure the length of the fence?
Choose 1 answer:

Practice problem 1

This is a rectangle.
Let's measure the blue line below using both rectangles and a centimeter ruler:
The line is
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • an exact decimal, like 0.75
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3/5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7/4
  • a mixed number, like 1 3/4
rectangles long.

The line is
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • an exact decimal, like 0.75
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3/5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7/4
  • a mixed number, like 1 3/4
centimeters long.

The width of each rectangle is _____ than a centimeter.
Choose 1 answer:

So, it takes _____ rectangles than centimeters to measure the line.
Choose 1 answer:

Practice problem 2

Measure the green line using the centimeter ruler.
The line is
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3/5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7/4
  • a mixed number, like 1 3/4
  • an exact decimal, like 0.75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12 pi or 2/3 pi
centimeters long.

Now, measure the green line using the inch ruler.
The line is
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3/5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7/4
  • a mixed number, like 1 3/4
  • an exact decimal, like 0.75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12 pi or 2/3 pi
inches long.

It takes _____ centimeters than inches to measure the line.
Choose 1 answer:

So, a centimeter is _____ than an inch.
Choose 1 answer:

Challenge question

Raj measures the height of a desk with his pencil. He finds out the desk is 8 pencils tall. Lynn measures the same desk with her pen. The desk is 9 pens high.
Which is longer?
Choose 1 answer:

Want to join the conversation?