Virginia SOL Math / Grade 4 / Measurement & Geometry

4.MG.1

Measure Length, Weight & Volume

What you'll learn

  • Choose an appropriate unit and tool for a measurement
  • Estimate and measure length, weight/mass, and liquid volume
  • Compare units within the U.S. Customary and metric systems

Words to know

Length —
how long something is
Weight/Mass —
how heavy something is
Liquid volume —
how much a container holds
U.S. Customary —
inch, foot, pound, cup, gallon
Metric —
centimeter, meter, kilogram, liter

Why it matters Choosing the right unit and tool makes a measurement useful, whether we build, cook, or ship a package.

Worked examples

Model ItI do

How many cups are in 1 gallon?

A gallon holds 4 quarts, and each quart holds 4 cups. Multiply: 4 x 4 = 16. So there are 16 cups in 1 gallon.

Try It TogetherWe do

Would you measure the mass of a watermelon in grams or kilograms?

A watermelon is heavy, so kilograms is the better unit. Grams are for light objects like a paper clip.

Now YouYou do

How many inches are in 2 feet?

There are 12 inches in 1 foot, so multiply by 2. Check your answer in the back.

Practice

Mastered 0 of 11

Warm-up

Ease in with the basics.

  1. 1.How many inches are in 1 foot?

  2. 2.Which is longer: 1 meter or 1 centimeter?

  3. 3.Would you measure a pencil in inches or miles?

On Level

The core Quick Check from the book.

  1. 1.How many feet are in 1 yard?

  2. 2.Which is heavier: 1 kilogram or 1 gram?

  3. 3.How many cups are in 1 quart?

  4. 4.Would you weigh a car in pounds or ounces?

  5. 5.How many inches are in 3 feet?

Challenge

Stretch your thinking.

  1. 1.How many cups are in 2 gallons?

  2. 2.How many centimeters are in 3 meters?

  3. 3.A recipe needs 2 quarts of milk. How many pints is that?