Word Problems: Measurement
How to Solve Measurement Word Problems
Word problems tell a story using words and numbers. To solve them, follow these steps:
- Read carefully - What is the problem asking?
- Find the numbers - Look for lengths and measurements.
- Decide what to do - Compare? Add? Subtract? Order?
- Solve and check - Does your answer make sense?
Key Words to Look For
| Word | What It Means |
|---|---|
| longer, taller, more | One thing is bigger |
| shorter, smaller, less | One thing is littler |
| same, equal | Both are the same size |
| how much longer/shorter | Find the difference (subtract) |
| altogether, total, combined | Put them together (add) |
Worked Examples
Example 1: Finding Who Has More
Problem: Sam has a piece of string that is 8 cubes long. Mia has a piece of string that is 5 cubes long. Who has the longer string?
Step 1: Find the numbers: Sam = 8 cubes, Mia = 5 cubes
Step 2: Compare: 8 is more than 5
Answer: Sam has the longer string.
Example 2: Finding the Difference
Problem: A red ribbon is 10 paper clips long. A blue ribbon is 6 paper clips long. How much longer is the red ribbon?
Step 1: Find the numbers: Red = 10, Blue = 6
Step 2: This asks "how much longer" so we subtract: 10 - 6 = 4
Answer: The red ribbon is 4 paper clips longer.
Example 3: Adding Lengths Together
Problem: Jake has two toy trains. One is 4 cubes long and the other is 5 cubes long. If he puts them end to end, how long will they be altogether?
Step 1: Find the numbers: Train 1 = 4 cubes, Train 2 = 5 cubes
Step 2: "Altogether" means add: 4 + 5 = 9
Answer: The trains together are 9 cubes long.
Practice Word Problems
Read each problem carefully. Think about what it is asking before you solve it!
Problem 1
Emma has a pencil that is 7 cubes long. Her eraser is 2 cubes long. Which is shorter?
Show Answer
The eraser is shorter because 2 is less than 7.
Problem 2
A caterpillar is 6 paper clips long. A worm is 9 paper clips long. How much longer is the worm than the caterpillar?
Show Answer
9 - 6 = 3. The worm is 3 paper clips longer.
Problem 3
Ben's book is 8 cubes long. His sister's book is also 8 cubes long. How do their books compare?
Show Answer
Their books are the same length.
Problem 4
A jump rope is 12 cubes long. A shorter rope is 7 cubes long. How much shorter is the short rope?
Show Answer
12 - 7 = 5. The short rope is 5 cubes shorter.
Problem 5
Maria has 3 sticks. She puts them end to end. The first stick is 4 cubes, the second is 3 cubes, and the third is 5 cubes. How long is the line of sticks?
Show Answer
4 + 3 + 5 = 12. The line of sticks is 12 cubes long.
Problem 6
Dad is taller than Mom. Mom is taller than Tim. Who is the shortest?
Show Answer
Tim is the shortest.
Problem 7
A snake is 11 cubes long. It sheds its tail and loses 4 cubes of length. How long is the snake now?
Show Answer
11 - 4 = 7. The snake is now 7 cubes long.
Problem 8
Three friends measure their toy cars:
- Ali's car: 3 cubes
- Bob's car: 5 cubes
- Cara's car: 4 cubes
Put the cars in order from shortest to longest.
Show Answer
Ali's car, Cara's car, Bob's car (3, 4, 5 cubes)
Problem 9
A marker is 6 paper clips long. A crayon is 4 paper clips long. If you put them side by side, how much does the marker stick out past the crayon?
Show Answer
6 - 4 = 2. The marker sticks out 2 paper clips.
Problem 10
Sophie's ribbon is twice as long as her 5-cube bracelet. How long is her ribbon?
Show Answer
5 + 5 = 10. Sophie's ribbon is 10 cubes long.
Check Your Understanding
After practicing, think about these questions:
- Can you find the important numbers in a word problem?
- Do you know when to add and when to subtract?
- Can you compare lengths using "longer" and "shorter"?
- Does your answer make sense when you read the problem again?
Next Steps
- Try making up your own measurement word problems!
- Practice measuring real things and compare them.
- Move on to Common Mistakes to learn what to watch out for.