Measurement Word Problems

What are Measurement Word Problems?

• Measurement word problems are stories about how long, short, or tall things are.
• In Grade 1, we measure using non-standard units like blocks, paperclips, cubes, or footsteps.
• These problems help us compare objects or find the total length.

How to Solve Measurement Problems

1. Look at the Unit: What are we measuring with? (Cubes? Blocks? Clips?)
2. Start Together: Make sure both objects start from the same point.
3. Count One by One: Count each unit carefully without skipping.

Practice Story 1: Comparing Length

A yellow pencil is 7 cubes long. A green pencil is 5 cubes long. Which pencil is longer? How much longer is it?

• The Clues: Yellow = 7, Green = 5
• The Comparison: 7 is greater than 5
• The Difference: 7 − 5 = 2
• The Answer: The yellow pencil is 2 cubes longer.

Practice Story 2: Adding Length

A toy car is 4 blocks long. A toy bus is 6 blocks long. How long are the toys in all?

• The Clues: Car = 4, Bus = 6
• The Key Word: “In all” (Add)
• The Equation: 4 + 6 = 10
• The Answer: The toys are 10 blocks long.

Practice Story 3: Measuring Height

A tower is 9 cubes tall. A box is 6 cubes tall. How much shorter is the box than the tower?

• The Clues: Tower = 9, Box = 6
• The Key Word: “Shorter” (Subtract)
• The Equation: 9 − 6 = 3
• The Answer: The box is 3 cubes shorter.

Top Tips for Measuring

• No Gaps: Place the measuring objects close together.
• No Overlaps: Units should not cover each other.
• Same Start Point: Always start measuring from the same place.

Lesson Summary

• Measure using blocks, cubes, or paperclips.
• Longer / Taller means compare numbers.
• In all means add.
• How much more or shorter means subtract.