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Length: Comparing, adding and subtracting

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Summary

Length: Comparing, adding and subtracting

​​In a nutshell

Length is how you describe how long an object is compared to another. You can compare the sizes of objects using length and for small enough objects you can use a ruler to measure this.



Comparing length

Bigger objects have bigger lengths, so a 20cm20cm​ fork is bigger than a 5cm5cm​ eraser. Remember that you can only compare lengths if they have the same unit; an 11cm11cm pencil is not longer than a 2m2m​ table! Use this equation to convert between units:


100cm=1m=0.001km100cm = 1m = 0.001km



Adding and subtracting length

procedure

1.
Make sure the units are the same.
2.
Identify what the question is asking you:
  • "Find the total length of ..." means summing the lengths.
  • "How much longer is ..." means subtracting one length from the other.
3.
Convert the answer back into appropriate units (if required).



Example

How much longer is a 1.2m1.2m​ table compared to a 65cm65cm​ chair?


1.2m=120cm1.2m = 120cm

12065=55cm120 - 65 = \underline{55cm}

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Exercises

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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when you use units of different length to measure with?

Which units of length are appropriate when measuring longer objects?

What units are used to measure length?

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