Max Maths, Year 3, Learn together, Converting between centimetres and metres, and between metres and kilometres (1)

In the Max Maths Year 3 curriculum, students are introduced to the concept of converting between different units of length – specifically, centimetres and metres, and metres and kilometres. This fundamental skill is essential for understanding and using metric measurements in various everyday situations. The lesson begins with a relatable scenario where Han wants to measure the length of a painting in his house. The painting's length is more than 1 metre but less than 2 metres. To find the exact length, Han uses a small ruler to measure the additional centimetres beyond the 1-metre mark.

The lesson provides a clear and practical example to illustrate the conversion process. Students learn that there are 100 centimetres in 1 metre, a key fact for converting measurements within the metric system. Using this information, they can calculate the painting's length in centimetres. Han's painting measures 1 metre and 5 centimetres, which translates to 105 centimetres when converted (1 metre equals 100 centimetres, so 1 metre plus 5 centimetres equals 105 centimetres). This exercise helps students to understand and apply the concept of unit conversion in a way that is both engaging and easy to grasp.