Max Maths, Year 4, Learn together, Converting units of length (1)

In a mathematics lesson for Year 4 students, the topic of converting units of length is introduced using a practical example. Toby, a character in the lesson, measures the length of a key using a standard ruler marked in centimetres (cm). The key is found to be 5 cm long. Students are then asked to convert this measurement into millimetres (mm), using the knowledge that 1 cm is equivalent to 10 mm. This conversion is a straightforward multiplication task where the length in centimetres is multiplied by 10 to obtain the length in millimetres.

By applying this method, the students learn that the 5 cm length of the key is equivalent to 50 mm when converted. The process is clearly demonstrated: 5 cm multiplied by 10 equals 50 mm. This exercise not only helps students understand the relationship between centimetres and millimetres but also reinforces their multiplication skills. The lesson emphasizes that when converting from a larger unit (cm) to a smaller unit (mm), the number of units increases, which is a key concept in understanding unit conversions in measurements.