Mathematics

Entry 3

Learning Resource 15
Scales and Measuring

MSS1/E3.8
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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3 15

Contents

Scales & Measuring MSS1/E3.8 Page 2

Examples – Length MSS1/E3.8 Pages 3 - 4

Examples – Weight MSS1/E3.8 Page 5

Examples – Capacity MSS1/E3.8 Page 6

Exercises MSS1/E3.8 Pages 7 - 13

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Information Scales and Measuring

Length, weight and capacity are different types of measurement.

Each type of measurement has its own units:

LENGTH

 Millimetres – mm 10 mm = 1 cm
 Centimetres – cm 100 cm = 1 m
 Metres – m 1000 m = 1 km
 Kilometres – km

Millimetres are the smallest unit of length and are the smallest units on a ruler. Millimetres
are used to measure the length of small objects e.g. a nail.

Centimetres are a bit bigger and are used to measure the length of small objects e.g. a
book.

Metres are used to measure large objects e.g. the height of a tree.

Kilometres are the largest unit of measurement and are used to measure distances e.g.
the distance between London and Leeds.

WEIGHT

 Grams – g 1000 g = 1 kg
 Kilograms – kg

Grams are used to weigh small to medium weighted objects e.g. apples, flour for a cake.

Kilograms are used to weigh heavy objects e.g. people.

CAPACITY

 Millilitres – ml 1000 ml = 1 l
 Litres – l

Millilitres are used to measure small to medium amounts of liquid e.g. medicine, drinks.

Litres are used to measure larger amounts of liquid e.g. petrol.

Different instruments are used to measure length, weight and capacity.

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
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Examples Length

LENGTH

Objects measured using millimetres (mm):

ring camera film

Objects measured using centimetres (cm):

book

brick

Objects measured using metres (m):

tree

room

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Examples Length

We use kilometres (km) for distances.

Instruments used to measure length:

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
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Examples Weight

WEIGHT

Objects weighed using grams (g):

Objects weighed using kilograms (kg):

Instruments used to measure weight:

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Examples Capacity

CAPACITY

Liquids measured using millilitres (ml):

Liquids measured using litres (l):

Instruments used to measure capacity:

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Exercise 1 Units of Measurement

Look at the objects below and circle the correct unit of measurement for each.

1) millimetres centimetres

2) millilitres litres

3) millimetres centimetres

4) grams kilograms

5)
grams kilograms

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Exercise 2 Units of Measurement

Look at the instruments on the left. What unit of measurement does each one use?

centimetres milliltres metres kilograms grams

1)

Unit of measurement ………………..

2)

Unit of measurement ………………..

3)

Unit of measurement ………………..

4)
Unit of measurement ………………..

5)

Unit of measurement ………………..

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Exercise 3 Measuring

Practical Exercise

Tutor to provide various weighing and measuring equipment and a variety of objects for
the learners to weigh and measure.

In the table below measure and record your findings. You can make your own list of
objects. An example has been completed and a few suggestions have been made for you.

Object Equipment Used Result

Glass of water Measuring jug 150 ml

Length of a piece of paper

Height of a door

Weight of a chocolate bar

Weight of an apple

Width of a desk

Length of a pen

Length of a room

Juice from a small carton

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Exercise 4 Units of Measurement

Look at these items. What unit of measurement would you use to measure each one?

metres grams centimetres millilitres

1) Unit of measurement ………………..

2) Unit of measurement ………………..

3) Unit of measurement ………………..

4) Unit of measurement ………………..

5) Unit of measurement ………………..

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Exercise 5 Units of Measurement (cm/m)

Would you measure the following in metres or centimetres?

1) 2)

………………………… …………………………

3) 4)

………………………… …………………………

5) 6)

………………………… …………………………

7) 8)

………………………… …………………………

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Exercise 6 Units of Measurement (g/kg)

Would you measure the following using grams or kilograms?

1) 2)

………………………… …………………………

3) 4)

………………………… …………………………

5) 6)

crisps sweets

………………………… …………………………

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SCALES AND MEASURING
ENTRY 3
MSS1/E3.8
15
Exercise 7 Units of Measurement (ml/l)

Would you measure the contents of the following using litres or millilitres?

1) …………………………

2) …………………………

3) …………………………

4) …………………………

5) …………………………

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