How wide is this desk? how far have you traveled?

  • Length/Width/Height: These are the basic dimensions used to measure objects. The width refers to how wide an object is, like a desk.
  • Distance: When talking about how far you have traveled, you are referring to the distance between your starting point and your destination.

  • Standard Units: The most common units used for measuring length or distance are:
    • Centimeters (cm): Used for smaller measurements (e.g., the width of a desk).
    • Meters (m): Used for medium measurements (e.g., the length of a room or hallway).
    • Kilometers (km): Used for larger measurements, especially for long distances like how far you travel.

  • Ruler/Tape Measure: These are typically used to measure the width of smaller objects like desks.
  • Odometer/Car Speedometer/Map: These can be used to measure the distance traveled, especially for longer distances such as a trip between cities.

  • Process: To find how wide a desk is, you place a ruler or tape measure along the edge from one side to the other, noting the measurement.
  • Example: If the width of a desk is 1.2 meters, this means the desk is 1.2 meters wide.

  • Process: To measure how far you’ve traveled, you can track the route using a map or GPS, or use an odometer in a vehicle to determine how far you’ve gone.
  • Example: If you have traveled 50 kilometers, this is the distance between your starting point and where you are now.

  • Short Distances: Can be measured in centimeters or meters (e.g., walking around a classroom or measuring a desk).
  • Long Distances: Measured in kilometers (e.g., the distance between cities or countries).

  • Converting Meters to Kilometers: 1000 meters = 1 kilometer.
  • Converting Centimeters to Meters: 100 centimeters = 1 meter.

Let’s practice!