Linear Measurement How to Use the Meterstick Metric Ruler

Why do we measure?  Measurements are important in science because they provide important specific, detailed information.

Measuring Length  Length is the distance between two points. To measure length, we use the unit meter (m).  A meter stick is broken down into decimeters, centimeters, and millimeters.

Remember the following information:  1 meter is equal to 10 decimeters.  1 meter is equal to 100 centimeters.  1 meter is equal to 1000 millimeters. There are 10 millimeters for every centimeter on a metric ruler (10 mm = 1 cm)

 Long distances, such as the distance between Franklinville and Philadelphia, are measured in kilometers (km).

Measuring Length  Smaller lengths are measured in meters(m), centimeters (cm),or millimeters (mm).  Scientists use metric rulers and meter sticks to measure length.  These are the instruments you will be using in science lab.

Measuring Area  Area is measured by multiplying the length x width.  It can be expressed in square meters (m 2 ) or (cm 2 ).

Measuring Area The length of the shoebox is 40 cm. The width of the shoebox is 20 cm. The area is 800 cm 2 (800 square centimeters).

Measuring Volume  Volume is measured by multiplying the length x width x height.  Volume can be expressed in cubic meters (m 3 ) (cm 3 ).

Measuring Volume Volume: The length of the shoebox is 40 cm. The width of the shoebox is 20 cm. The height of the shoebox is 10 cm. The volume is 8000 cm 3 (8000 cubic centimeters).

Practice Makes Perfect! Using the metric ruler, measure the length and width of the following items: LengthWidth Textbook Index Card

More Practice Using the meterstick and working with one other person, measure the length, width, and height of one desk. ItemLengthWidthHeightVolume Desk