What Can We Measure?
by Jessica Jentilet
This image is of a ruler. The side with the large numbers are inches. The side with the smaller numbers are centimeters.
We can put a single object next to the ruler to measure its length. In order to get the correct measurement of anything we you must place the end of the object at the zero mark. In this picture the straw is set along the inches side, beginning at zero inches.
Here is the same straw that we measured, in inches. Now we are going to figure out how long it is, in centimeters. Line up, once more, the one end of the straw to the end. But this time be sure it is lined up at the zero centimeters mark. The mark that the straw ends at is how long the straw is.
Looking at these two different objects we can make an estimation as to which object is longer. But if we want to know how long these objects actually are we must measure them. Start by measureing the length of both objects in inches.
We know how long these two objects are in inches, but what about in centimeters? Make sure that the objects are lined up at the zero centimeters mark!
Measuring objects can be super fun! Just don't forget to pay attention to whether you are usin inches or centimeters. And always place the one end of the object on the zero mark.