1. Metric Length

2. Measuring Length Meter (Base Unit) Decimeter is 1/10 of a meter (0.1)
Centimeter is 1/100 of a meter (0.01)
Millimeter is 1/1,000 of a meter (0.001)

3. millimeter
centimeter

4. Let’s Practice! There are 1,000 millimeters in a whole meter.
That makes 1 millimeter what fraction of a whole meter?
1/1,000 (0.001)
There are 10 millimeters in a centimeter.
That makes a millimeter what fraction of a whole centimeter?
1/10 (0.1)
There are 100 centimeters in a whole meter.
That makes one centimeter what fraction of a whole meter?
1/100 (0.01)
There are 10 centimeters in a whole decimeter.
That makes a centimeter what fraction of a whole decimeter?
There are 10 decimeters in a meter.
That makes decimeters what fraction of a whole meter?

5. Steps for Measuring Length
Always start by lining up the object you’re measuring with zero on the ruler.
Hold the ruler with your left hand.
Read the last number on your ruler that is below the object.

6. Let’s Practice!
7 centimeters

7. Steps for Measuring Length
If the object’s length doesn’t land exactly on a number, read the closest centimeter to the left.
Next, count the number of millimeter marks.
Remember that a millimeter is 1/10 of a centimeter.
2 centimeters
(2 cm) +
8 millimeters
(0.8 cm) =
2.8 cm

8. Let’s Practice!
4 centimeters
(4 cm) +
6 millimeters
(0.6 cm) =
4.6 cm

9. Let’s Practice!
2 centimeters
(2 cm) +
2 millimeters
(0.2 cm) =
2.2 cm

10. Let’s Practice!
6 centimeters
(6 cm) +
7 millimeters
(0.7 cm) =
6.7 cm