Skill: Solve simple measurement word problems

Read the problem carefully and look for:

1. What is being measured? Length, mass, liquid volume, or time.
2. What unit is used? Make sure all measurements use the same unit.
3. What is happening?
   • Join: put amounts together, so add.
   • Separate: take some away, so subtract.
   • Compare: find how much more or less, so subtract.
4. Write an equation, solve it, and include the unit.

Example

Mia has a ribbon that is $(24)$ centimeters long. Her teacher gives her another ribbon that is $(15)$ centimeters long. How many centimeters of ribbon does Mia have altogether?

The unit is centimeters, and both measurements use the same unit.

The word altogether tells us to join the lengths, so we add:

$$24+15=39$$

Mia has $(39)$ centimeters of ribbon altogether.

You can check by thinking: $(24)$ centimeters plus $(15)$ centimeters should be more than $(24)$ centimeters, and $(39)$ centimeters makes sense.