The learner understands the relative sizes and meanings of common metric units—millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers for length; grams and kilograms for mass; and milliliters and liters for capacity—and selects a unit whose scale suits the quantity being measured. This reasoning distinguishes the attribute being measured from the unit used, supports sensible estimates and later metric conversions, and does not extend to specialized scientific, compound, or derived units.
First identify what is being measured:
Then think about the size of the object or amount. Choose a unit that is large enough to measure it conveniently, but not so large that the measurement is difficult to estimate.
For example:
Problem: Which unit is most appropriate for measuring the length of a school hallway: millimeters, centimeters, meters, or kilometers?
Step 1: Identify the attribute.
We are measuring length, so we need a length unit.
Step 2: Think about the size.
A hallway is much longer than a centimeter, but much shorter than a kilometer.
Step 3: Choose the best unit.
Meters are a sensible size for measuring a hallway.
Answer: The most appropriate unit is meters. A hallway might be about long.
Use the same reasoning for other measurements: grams for a light object, kilograms for a heavy object, milliliters for a small amount of liquid, and liters for a large amount of liquid.
Click a topic below to practice the foundational skills you'll need, learn the steps, or master this skill
Earned ?