Measuring in Centimeters
Basics on the topic Measuring in Centimeters
Measuring in Centimeters Explained
A centimeter is a unit of measurement with which you can measure the length of objects. You can use a centimeter ruler or a centimeter measuring tape to measure objects. The numbers on a ruler when measuring centimeters is the same as centimeter on a measuring tape. The only only difference is that a rule usually ends at 30cm, but tape measures go longer than 30cm!
Measuring in Centimeters – Example
To measure using a ruler or a tape measure, first make sure that the object is lined up with the zero on either measuring tool. For example, we line this button up with the zero on the ruler.
Then, we find the other end of the object, and find the number that lines up with the far end. For the button, the number two lines up with the end of the object, so the button is two centimeters long.
Measuring in Centimeters – Summary
To measure objects using a ruler or measuring tape, you need to do the following:
| Step # | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Line up one end of the object with the zero on your measuring tool. |
| 2 | Find the far end of the object, and find the number that lines up with it. |
| 3 | Record the number, followed by cm to represent centimeters. |
After watching the video you will find interactive exercises, worksheets and more activities on measuring in centimeters.
Transcript Measuring in Centimeters
Zuri and Freddie found an old sewing machine in the landfill today. "Look! There's instructions for sewing clothes, let's make some!" "Sure, but it looks like we need to measure our materials in centimeters, how do we do that?" Let's help Zuri and Freddie learn about measuring in centimeters. A centimeter is a unit of measurement used to measure length. We can measure in centimeters using tools such as a ruler or a tape measure. A ruler is normally used for objects up to thirty centimeters in length. A tape measure can be used for objects up to, and longer than, thirty centimeters. Rulers and tape measures usually have both centimeters and inches. To make sure you use the correct side, look for the side with cm on it. Here is a button Zuri and Freddie need for the clothes. To measure in centimeters, line up one end of the button with the zero mark on the ruler. Now that it is lined up to the zero mark, find the mark that the far end of the button lines up with to find the length. The length of the button is two centimeters, so write a two followed by cm, which represents centimeters. Now we have learned about measuring in centimeters. Let's help Zuri and Freddie measure lace. What is the first step? First, line up one end of the lace with the zero mark on the ruler. What is the next step? Find the mark that the far end of the lace lines up with, to find the length. What is the length of the lace? It is twenty-four centimeters, so write twenty-four followed by cm. Now they know how long the lace is, let's look at the fabric they will use! What is the first step? First, line up one end of the fabric with the zero mark on the ruler. Wait, the fabric is too long for the ruler. What is another tool we could use instead? A tape measure! Line up the end of the fabric with the zero mark on the tape measure this time. What is the next step? Find the mark that the FAR end of the fabric lines up with, to find the length. What is the length of the fabric? It is forty-five centimeters, so write forty-five followed by cm. It looks like Zuri and Freddie know all the measurements of materials they have, so let's review while they sew some clothes! Remember, centimeter is a unit of measurement used to measure length. A ruler or tape measure can help measure in centimeters. To measure in centimeters, first, line up one end of the object with the zero mark on the ruler or tape measure. Second, find the mark that the far end of the object lines up with, to find the length. Finally, record the number followed by cm. "I'm really not too sure about this Freddie..." "Yeah, I have a feeling those sewing instructions are very old..." "I agree... these outfits are... sew-sew."
Measuring in Centimeters exercise
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How do we measure an object using a ruler?
HintsWhen measuring with a ruler, which end should we line up first?
Here, one end of the button is lined up with 0, what would be the next step?
What must we always make sure we write at the end?
Solution- First, line up one end of the object with the 0 on the ruler.
- Next, find the mark that the far end of the object lines up with.
- Then record this number.
- Finally, add cm after the number which stands for centimeters.
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How long is the pencil?
HintsOne end of the pencil is lined up with 0. Which number is the other end of the pencil lined up with?
Look carefully at which number on the ruler this end of the pencil lines up with.
The ruler has two sets of measurements on it: centimeters and inches. Today we are measuring in centimeters which are smaller than inches.
SolutionThe pencil is 11 cm long.
One end of the pencil lines up with 0 and we can see that the other end of the pencil lines up with 11 meaning that it is 11 cm long.
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How long are each of these items?
HintsAlways double check that one end of the item being measured is lined up with 0 cm.
Look carefully at the number that the other end of the item lines up with, this is the length.
SolutionEach item was lined up with 0 cm at one end so we look to the other end to find the length.
- The glue stick is 12 cm long.
- The pencil is 20 cm long.
- The straw is 23 cm long.
- The ribbon is 9 cm long.
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Which of these lollipop sticks have been measured correctly?
HintsWhere must one end of the lollipop stick be lined up to?
One end must be lined up with 0 cm.
To measure the lollipop stick we look at which number the other end of it lines up with.
If the measurement written is not where the other end of the stick lines up to then it is incorrect.
Remember; today we are measuring in centimeters or cm so make sure you are using the correct side of the ruler.
SolutionHere we can see which lollipop stick was measured correctly.
This was measured correctly because:
- One end is lined up with 0 cm.
- The measurement written is where the other end of the lollipop stick lines up to: 6 cm.
- The units (cm) are written.
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How long is Zuri's toothbrush?
HintsOne end of the toothbrush is lined up with 0 cm. Which number does the other end line up with? This is the length.
Look carefully at the mark that this end of the toothbrush lines up with.
Don't forget to add cm, the unit of measurement.
Remember; the ruler has two sets of measurements on it: centimeters and inches. Today we are measuring in centimeters which are smaller than inches.
SolutionThe toothbrush is 15 cm long.
One end of the toothbrush lines up with 0 cm and the other end lines up with 15 cm.
Always remember to add the unit of measurement which in this case is centimeters or cm.
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How long are these pieces of cutlery?
HintsThe lines on the ruler count up by one. Look at the last number that is written before the end of the item and count up by ones from there.
For example, the last number we can see before the end of this lollipop stick is 5 so we can count up from 5 to the mark at the end of the stick ... 6 ... 7! This lollipop stick is 7 cm.
Solution- The knife is 17 cm.
- The spoon is 18 cm.
- The fork is 16 cm.
