measurement · Year 4 · AC9M4M01
Read scales with unlabelled marks
Most scales only label some of their marks. Before reading one, work out what each small mark is worth. Find two labels next to each other, take the smaller from the larger, and count the spaces between them (not the lines). Divide to find the value of one space. Then start at the last label before the pointer and count on the marks, adding that value each time. On a jug labelled every 100 mL with 4 spaces between labels, each mark is 25 mL.
Sample questions
What length does the arrow point to on the measuring tape? Give your answer in cm.
- The labels go up by 10, and there are 2 spaces between two labels. Each small mark is worth 10 ÷ 2 = 5 cm.
- The arrow is 1 mark past 40: 1 × 5 = 5.
- 40 + 5 = 45 cm.
Answer: 45
What length does the arrow point to on the measuring tape? Give your answer in cm.
- The labels go up by 10, and there are 5 spaces between two labels. Each small mark is worth 10 ÷ 5 = 2 cm.
- The arrow is 1 mark past 0: 1 × 2 = 2.
- 0 + 2 = 2 cm.
Answer: 2
What length does the arrow point to on the measuring tape? Give your answer in cm.
- The labels go up by 10, and there are 5 spaces between two labels. Each small mark is worth 10 ÷ 5 = 2 cm.
- The arrow is 2 marks past 10: 2 × 2 = 4.
- 10 + 4 = 14 cm.
Answer: 14