Length and centimetres · Usually met around P1
Longer, shorter, nearer, farther
Line up one end, then look at the other.
How to do it
Method
Line up one end, then look at the other
Left ends lined up: A sticks out further → A is longer
Another way
Count the squares
A 9 squares, B 7: A is 2 longer
In full
Length is how long one thing is; distance is how far apart two things (or places) are. To compare lengths, line up one end, then look at the other end: the one that sticks out further is longer. If neither end is lined up, you can't just look at which sticks out further; count the squares in each. To compare distances, see how long the way from the start to each one is: the longer way is farther. When two things can't be put side by side, measure one with a piece of string and compare the string.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
Going along the road, which thing is nearest to the 🏠?
- A. 🐰
- B. 🌳
- C. All equally near
- D. 🍪
Choose the right answer
Show the answer and working
Answer: B. 🌳
Walking from the 🏠 along the road, the first one you reach is nearest.
Example 2
The two ribbons aren't lined up. A is longer than B.
True or false?
Show the answer and working
Answer: False
When they aren't lined up, don't just look at the right ends; count the squares: A has 4, B has 10.
Example 3
Each mark on the road is one step. How many steps apart are the 🐵 and the 🦆?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 6 steps
Count from one to the other: the 🐵 is at step 6, the 🦆 at step 12, so they are 6 steps apart.
Practise it in the game →Length and centimetres · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download