Lesson 30: Metric Length

Ms. Jamie Scordino3rd Grade Math

Understanding Metric Length

Length is the measurement from one end to the other

Metric length is measured in the unit meters.

Types of MetersThere are seven different types of meters that we use to measure length.

They are kilometer, hectometer, decameter, meter, decimeter, centimeter, and millimeter.

We us kilometer, meter, centimeter, and millimeter the most.

The Length of a Kilometer (km)

A kilometer is the largest type of meter and it is equal to 1,000 meters or about 3,280 feet.

We use kilometers to measure the distance between two points that are very far away.

Example: The distance between two cities

The Length of a Meter (m)

A meter is equal to about 3.28 feet

We use meters to measure objects that are longer then the size of our arm.

Examples: Couches, table, length of a room

The Length of a Centimeter (cm)

A centimeter is the second smallest type of meter and it is equal to .01 meters or about .03 feet.

We use centimeters to measure small objects.

Examples: height of a can of soda, length of a hand, pencils

The Length of a Millimeter (mm)

A millimeter is the smallest type of meter and it is equal to .001 meter or .0003 feet.

We use millimeters to measure very small objects, usually smaller than the size of one ruler.

Example: Eraser, paper clip

Metric StaircaseKil

Hec Dec

Unit

Deci

Centi Mill

i

Metric ConversionsKil

Hec Dec

UnitDeci

Centi Mill

i

When you go down the stairs, you x10

Hint: x10 is the same as moving the decimal one place to the right or adding one zero to the end of the number

Length Conversions

KilHec Dec

Meter Deci

Centi Mill

i

x10

Example1 m = 100 cm

x10

Length Conversions

KilHec Dec

Meter Deci

Centi Mill

i

x10

Example1 km = 1,000 meters

x10 x1

0

Length Conversions

KilHec Dec

Meter Deci

Centi Mill

i

Example5 cm = 50 mm

x10

Length Conversions

KilHec Dec

Meter Deci

Centi Mill

i

Example123 hectometers = 12,300 m

x10 x1

0

Metric ConversionsKil

Hec Dec

UnitDeci

Centi Mill

i

When you go up the stairs, you divide by 10

Hint: divide by 10 is the same as moving the decimal one place to the left

Length Conversions

KilHec Dec

Meter Deci

Centi Mill

i

Example1 meters = .001 km

/10/10

/10

Length Conversions

KilHec Dec

Meter Deci

Centi Mill

i

Example5 mm = .5 cm

/10

Length Conversions

KilHec Dec

Meter Deci

Centi Mill

i

Example63 cm = .63 m

/10

/10

Your Turn

Thank you for a great lesson!