Max Maths, Year 4, Learn together, Units of length (2)

In the curriculum for Year 4, students learn about different units of length and when it is appropriate to use each one. The smallest unit they explore is the millimetre (mm), which is one-tenth of a centimetre. This unit is ideal for measuring tiny objects such as paper clips, coins, and insects that require precision and detail in their measurement.

Moving up in scale, the centimetre (cm) is introduced as a unit roughly equivalent to the width of a child's finger. This unit is more suitable for measuring moderately sized items like books, mobile phones, and televisions. For even larger objects, such as buildings and trees, the metre (m) is used, which is equivalent to one hundred centimetres. Finally, for measuring vast distances, such as the length of roads or the space between cities, the kilometre (km) is used, with one kilometre equalling one thousand metres. Understanding these units of length is essential for students to accurately measure and understand the world around them.