Comparing Lengths
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Basics on the topic Comparing Lengths
Comparing Lengths Using Objects
What are standard and non standard measurement units? Standard units of measurement are units that are commonly used to measure such as metres and centimetres. The next section will explain non standard measure.
Comparing Lengths Using Objects – Non Standard Measurement
What does non standard measurement mean? Non standard measurement units are units of measurement that are not typically used. Some tools we can use for non standard units of measurement for length are a skateboard, shoe or in this case pencils, since they are all the same length!
Comparing Lengths Using Objects – Example
When measuring length using objects we can use pencils for example to measure the length of a desk, a book and a computer screen!
Comparing Lengths Using Objects – Measuring
Here is an example of comparing objects by length. Let’s have a look at these comparing length pictures of the two sandwiches.
First, line up the end of the pencil with the end of the sandwich. We need to make sure the end of the pencil is lined up exactly with the end of the sandwich, so we measure it correctly!
It looks like we need to use more than one, so we line up the ends of the next pencils with no spaces in between.
Now that we’ve measured the sandwiches, let’s compare lengths to see which one is longer!
The peanut butter and jam sandwich is two pencils long and the baguette is three pencils long, so the baguette is longer!
Comparing Lengths Using Objects – Summary
We can use objects around us to help us measure. When measuring with an object such as a pencil:
| Step # | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Line up the end of the pencil with the end of the object, making sure the end of the pencil is lined up exactly with the object, so we measure it correctly! |
| 2 | Ask yourself: “How many pencils long is the object?” |
| 3 | If you need more than one length of a pencil to measure, line up the end of the next pencil with no space in between. |
| 4 | The length we measure with the pencils can be used to compare two objects. |
Do you want to have a go at some non standard measurement activities? After watching the video you will find more comparing length activities, such as comparing length worksheets, interactive exercises and activities to practice further.
Transcript Comparing Lengths
"Vroom Vroom Beep Beeeeep! "Pssst over here!" "Can I help you? Wait, why is the rubbish bin talking?" "Nevermind that, it looks like you have some really yummy sandwiches, would you mind if I take a closer look at the longer sandwich you have there?" "I guess that's okay but I'll have to use some pencils to help me measure them since that's all I have here." Let's help Freddie with comparing lengths using objects. The length of an object is the distance from one end to the other. We can find the length by measuring this distance. Here Freddie has two sandwiches and needs to work out which one is longer. He doesn't have a ruler, but we can use the length of different objects around us to help measure like a skateboard, shoe or in this case pencils, since they are all the same length! We can use pencils to measure the length of a desk, a book and a computer screen! Let's start by measuring the peanut butter and jam sandwich using the length of the pencils! First, line up the end of the pencil with the end of the sandwich. We need to make sure the end of the pencil is lined up exactly with the end of the sandwich, so we measure it correctly! It looks like we need to use more than one pencil to measure the sandwich so we line up the end of the next pencil here with no space in between. Now think, 'how many pencils long is the sandwich?' The peanut butter and jam sandwich is two pencils long. Next, we measure the baguette using the same pencils. First, line up the end of the pencil with the end of the baguette. We need to make sure the end of the pencil is lined up exactly with the end of the baguette, so we measure it correctly! It looks like we need to use more than one, so we line up the ends of the next pencils here and here with no spaces in between. Now ask yourself, 'how many pencils long is the baguette?' Let's count together! One, two three! The baguette is three pencils long. Since the peanut butter and jam sandwich is two pencils long and the baguette is three pencils long, the baguette is longer! Freddie gives the baguette to the rubbish bin. "Nom nom nom!" Before we see what happens next, let's remember! We can use objects around us to help us measure like a skateboard, shoe or in this case, pencils, since they are all the same length! When measuring with an object such as a pencil first, line up the end of the pencil with the end of the object making sure the end is lined up exactly with the end of the object, so we measure it correctly! Then think, 'how many pencils long is the object?'. Sometimes we need more than one pencil to measure, so we line up the end of the next pencil here with no space in between. The length we measure with the pencils can be used to compare two objects. "Oh! Hello Freddie, I was just..." "Zuri it was you this whole time!? If you wanted some of my sandwich I would have just shared it with you!"
Comparing Lengths exercise
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Which sandwich has been measured correctly?
HintsRemember that the pencils need to be lined up end to end, with no gap in between them.
Have the pencils been placed from the very start to the very end of the sandwich?
SolutionThe correct option is this one as it has:
- The pencils lined up, starting from the very start of the sandwich and going right to the very end of the sandwich.
- No space in between each pencil.
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Which sandwich is the longest?
HintsRemember that Freddie wants the longest sandwich.
The longest sandwich is the one that needs the most pencils to measure it.
Solution- The smallest sandwich is 3 pencils long.
- The next sandwich is 4 pencils long.
- The third sandwich is 5 pencils long.
- The longest sandwich is 7 pencils long, so this is the CORRECT ANSWER.
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Which pile of cars should Freddie use?
HintsTo make it a fair measurement, the toy cars should be exactly the same size.
Does it matter whether the toy cars are the same colour?
SolutionTo measure the box of chocolate brownies, Freddie should use the pile of cars that are all the same size, so that the measurement is fair and accurate.
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Measuring flowers.
HintsTo find how tall the flower is, count the cars.
The tallest flower is the one with the most cars.
SolutionThis image shows the height of each flower when measured using the toy cars.
We can see that the shortest flower is the snowdrop as it only 2 cars high, and the tallest flower is the sunflower as it is 10 cars high.
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How long is each snack?
HintsCount how many pencils are used to measure the item. This is its length.
This sandwich is 2 pencils long.
Solution- The half sandwich is 4 pencils long.
- The whole sandwich is 5 pencils long.
- The hotdog is 6 pencils long.
- The sushi is 3 pencils long.
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Ordering picnic foods by height.
HintsStart with the item that is the shortest. This means that it will have the fewest gem stones to measure it.
Look at the heights of each item to decide the order from smallest to largest. You could use a number line to help you.
SolutionIn order of height from shortest to tallest, the items were:
- yoghurt (4 gemstones high).
- juice carton (8 gemstones high).
- pineapple (12 gemstones high).
- water bottle (15 gemstones high).
