For example, if a child and his father measure the length of a rectangular wall using their handspan, it is most likely that they will get different values. They vary from person to person and from object to object. Non-standard Units of Measuring Length: Such units do not have a fixed measurement in numbers. Look at the chart of units of measuring length under the metric system given below. The relationship of every other unit with the base unit (meters) is given below: Among these units, meters is the base unit. There is a special relationship shared by these units. These units include kilometer, hectometer, decameter, meter, decimeter, centimeter, and millimeter. We also have metric units to measure length. Let us see the unit conversion table for the imperial measurement system of length. Some commonly used units in the imperial measurement systems are. The Weights and Measures Act of 1824 and the Act of 1878 established the British Imperial System on the basis of precise definitions of selected existing units.

The imperial system of units is the system of units first defined by the British, to measure different quantities. Standard units can again be divided into two types: Imperial units and metric system units. Some examples of standard units of length are meters, centimeters, inches, feet, yards, etc. If two or more people will measure the length of the same object using any standard unit, say inches, they will get the same result. Standard Units of Measuring Length: Such units are pre-defined and do not change person to person or object to object. Look at the chart below showing units of length. The units of measuring length can be classified into two types: Standard units of measuring length and non-standard units of measuring length. Length can be measured in different units like centimeters, inches, meters, or by using a handspan, foot span, etc. Here, the length of the pencil is 8 centimeters which is one of the units of measuring length. Look at the image given below showing the act of measurement of the length of a pencil using a ruler. Many times, we do not use a particular scale or tool to measure length but only guess it based on our understanding of units of length and observation. Thus, measuring length is an important skill to be used in our everyday life.

But if you want to tell the length of that vase to somebody who is not there, how will you do it? We can do that if we know its value in a certain unit, say 4 feet. Imagine going to a store with your friend and observing a beautiful vase to place in your drawing room. The skill of measuring the lengths of objects and understanding the units of length is very crucial as it helps us to interact with our environment in a more organized manner. If there are 100 the smallest graduation or mark is 1/100' or 0.01' as a decimal, etc.Measurement of length is defined as the act of measuring the length of objects in some specified units which can be standard or non-standard. If there are 10 the smallest graduation or mark is 1/10” or 0.1” as a decimal. Simply count the number of spaces between graduations or marks contained within a single inch. If a ruler has no legend the smallest graduation of an inch will have to be calculated. The ruler below has a legend of 100 which indicates that the smallest graduation or mark is 0.01' (1/100'). Often you will encounter rulers that do not have a legend which identifies what decimal of an inch is utilized on the scale. In the drawing below, we show a ruler with graduations or marks of 0.1' (1/10') and 0.01' (1/100'). We discuss here, Decimal Rulers based on the English measurement system of Inches.ĭecimal Rulers utilizing inches normally have marks or graduations of 0.1' (1/10') and 0.01' (1/100)', some rulers may also have 0.020' (1/50') graduations. Decimal Rulers have graduations or marks which are based on the decimal system such as 0.1, 0.01, etc.ĭecimal Rulers can be based on any measuring system but are usually based on either the English measurement system inches (in) or the Metric measurement system of millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm) and meters (m). Fractional Rulers have graduations or marks based on fractions, for example 1/2', 1/4' 1/8', 1/16', etc. There are two types of scales commonly used on rulers Fractional and Decimal.

Measurements on a ruler