Measure using a Centimeter Ruler (cm)
π Meet the Metric System! It's time to learn how the rest of the world measures things. Centimeters are tiny and precise!
Do this: Read the concept below, then try the quiz or activity.
Concept
Inches are cool in America, but scientists and almost every other country use the Metric System.
π― What is a Centimeter (cm)? * An inch is pretty big (like your thumb). * A centimeter is super tiny! It is about the width of your pinky fingernail, or the width of a little green pea. * There are about two-and-a-half centimeters crammed inside a single inch!
π― Measuring with a CM Ruler: The rules are exactly the same as an inch ruler! 1. Line it up: Put the very edge of the object perfectly on the zero line "0". 2. Read the end: Look where the object ends. The number it points to is the length in centimeters (cm).
Try it
Read the tiny numbers!
Instructions: Imagine the object lined up on a centimeter ruler. Start at zero!
Problem 1: You place a pencil on a cm ruler. It starts at 0, and the tip stops exactly on the 14. * How long is the pencil? ___ cm.
Problem 2: You place a huge eraser on a cm ruler. It starts at 0, and the edge stops on the 8. * How long is the eraser? ___ cm.
Problem 3: You put a paperclip on a ruler, but you accidentally start measuring from the "1 cm" mark instead of the "0" mark! It ends perfectly on the 5. * (Uh oh! You have to subtract that extra space you missed!) 5 - 1 = ? * How long is the paperclip? ___ cm.