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Grades K–2 · Mathematics

How do equal units measure a length?

A length unit is a small length we use again and again. The orange tiles in this picture are equal. Each tile counts as one unit length, not just one mark.

N12 visual explanationA strip has length 4 chosen units. 4 equal unit tiles are arranged with touching ends. Their span is 4 units. They measure the strip exactly.Length uses equal units end to endThe unit tiles all have the same length.Strip1234The strip measures 4 unit lengths.The count needs a named unit and aligned ends.

In the diagramLength uses equal units end to endThe unit tiles all have the same length.Strip1234The strip measures 4 unit lengths.The count needs a named unit and aligned ends.

Four equal, touching unit tiles exactly span the strip.

Four tiles sit end to end beneath the strip. Their ends touch, and they reach from the strip’s first end to its last end. The strip is four of these units long.

A gap leaves some length unmeasured. An overlap counts some length twice. Equal units, touching ends and a clear starting end make the measurement meaningful.

About this explanation

Starting knowledge: Count up to five objects and identify the two ends of a straight strip.

Sources

  • Common Core State Standards Initiative — Grade 1: Iterating equal length units
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