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Measurement
The word measurement is derived from the Latin word 'mensura'. The word measurement is one of the most commonly used mathematical terms in daily life. In the article, we will learn more about measurement.
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What is Measurement in Math?
Measurement is a term used to describe the comparison between an unknown quantity and a known quantity with standard units. Measurement is one of the fundamental building blocks of mathematics that holds great importance, as it allows us to compare and calculate height, length, width, and numerous other physical quantities.
History of Measurement
The earliest recorded sources of measurement go back to Ancient Egypt. In the early 3000 BCE the Egyptians used measurement as a technique to build pyramids and other structures. They coined the term "cubit" (the length of the forearm) and even used it to measure ropes and rocks.
Later, in approximately 2500 BCE, the Babylonians developed the earliest unitary system for length and weight. After the Babylonians developed the early units, around 500 BCE, the Romans created a system of measurement based on their soldier's foot and the distance covered. However, none of these were standard measurement units that were followed globally. The real evolution in the field of measurement came when France introduced the metric system in 1795. The metric system, introduced by France, was widely adopted by many other European countries as well, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of standardized measurement. The next step in the evolution of measurement and standardizing units for global acceptance occurred in 1960, when the SI system of units was introduced. Since then, there have been more developments that have enhanced the quality of measurement we experience today.
Measurement Units
Have you heard words like meters, liters, grams, feet, inches, pounds, etc? These are the units of measurement. These are used to refer to physical quantities such as length, weight, volume, etc. Now let’s understand the differences between standard units and non-standard units.
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Standard units |
Non-standard units |
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Types of Measurement
Different units and devices are used to measure different objects. The units and devices depend upon the physical properties of the object. A few types of measurement are mentioned below.
Length Measurement
The distance between two points is what we call length. Kilometer, meter, feet, inches, and so on are the units of length.
Weight/Mass Measurement
Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. The units of weight are grams, kilograms, pounds, tons, etc.
Time Measurement
Time is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, weeks, months, and years. Time is about the period of an event, which can be past, present, or future.
Volume Measurement
Volume is the amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object. The units used are liter, milliliter, quart, and gallon.
Temperature Measurement
The amount of hotness or coldness of any object is the temperature. We usually measure temperature, commonly in either Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Area Measurement
The space occupied by an object in a two-dimensional space is the area. Area is measure in square units. Like square centimeters (cm2), square meters (m2), and square kilometers (km2).
Angle Measurement
Angle of measurement is the process of measuring the angle magnitude of rotation when two rays or lines combine at a common point. The units are degrees and radians.
Measurement Instruments
Measurement is a crucial part of all the object everywhere in the universe, and all measurements cannot be done without the use of certain instruments. The accurate measurement of physical quantities such as weight, angle, force is almost impossible without the use of instruments. There are specific instruments designed to measure particular physical quantities, and some of them are mentioned below:
Measurement Tape
Measurement tape is the instrument used to measure the length. Units such as millimeters, centimeters, meters, inches, etc. are present on the tape depending upon the type of measurement tape.
Pendulum Clock
Time measured using instruments such as clocks, watches and pendulums. The units of time are seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, etc.
Weight Machine
Weighing machines are used to measure the weight of and object. Weighing machines can be manual or digital. The unit for measuring weight are kilograms, grams, milligrams etc.
Measurement Conversion Formulas
Measurement is incomplete without units and since units decide the final value of a quantity it is important to use correct units. For example, it is possible to for a single physical quantity such as length to exist in two unitary forms, length and cm. To avoid discrepancies between units and measurement, it is advised to always convert units into one form and then solve. Some basic unit conversions are mentioned below.
| Length | Weight | Capacity |
| 10 mm = 1 cm 100 cm = 1 m 1000 m = 1 km |
10 mg = 1 cg |
10mL = 1 cL |
Units of measurement
Earlier, measurements were not accurate, as they used the human body, stones, and seeds to measure and there were no standardized units. This usually led to measurement errors. To avoid such errors, we use a standard form of measurement, which is known as the metric system and the US standard system (Imperial system).
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Metric system |
Imperial System |
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Measurement chart
For each physical quality, we have different units of measurement. For an easier understanding of units of measurement in the two systems, you can refer to the measurement chart.
For metric system
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Physical qualities |
Units |
Abbreviation |
|
Length |
Millimeter |
mm |
|
Weight |
Milligrams |
Mg |
| Capacity |
Milliliters |
mL |
For the US Standard system
|
Physical qualities |
Units |
Abbreviation |
|
Length |
Inches |
inch |
|
Weight |
Ounces |
oz |
|
Capacity |
Fluid ounce |
fl oz |
Basic Rules and Properties of Measurement
The fundamental concept of physics, math, engineering, etc. is measurement. So when measuring any object, we need to follow certain rules. Some basic rules and properties of measurement are
Consistency: While measuring an object multiples times, there should be no variation in the measure of the object's physical quantity.
Accuracy and Precision: The measurement of any object should be precise or as close to precise as possible for better results. Accuracy of measurement depends on method used too, so the correct methods and instruments should be used for precise and accurate measurement.
Estimation: Estimation is making an approximate value for an object when there is a limitation.
Standardization: Standardization refers to the use of a universally recognized unit for measuring.
Begin your journey into Measurement by exploring key concepts. Understand important measurement topics in detail by selecting from the list below:
Tips and Tricks to Master Measurement
Whenever we measure, the measurement should be accurate and precise. As we have learned all about measurements now, let's see some tips and tricks to master measurement.
Understanding basic units
Students should try to learn and memorize the basic standardized units of measurement.
Using measuring tools effectively
For each physical quality, we have different measuring tools. When measuring try to use the correct measurement tool, and do the basic check before measuring.
Converting units at the start of calculation
Units should be converted at the start of calculations to avoid confusions and discrepancies in measurement. Similar units of the same measurement system give accurate and precise answers.
Converting between units
It is important to be extremely careful when converting units as units decide the final value of the solution, applying wrong units leads to wrong answers.
Be careful while adding units to the final values
After measurement or calculations, it is very crucial to apply the correct units at the end because a particular unit defines certain physical quantities. For example, if the unit radian is applied in place of degree incorrectly, it changes the entire value of the measured quantity.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in Measurement
Learning measurement is essential to learn about volume, area, shapes, angles, and many other branches of math. So it is essential to avoid mistakes when it comes to measurement. So, for a better understanding, let’s check out some common mistakes in measurements and ways to avoid them.
Mistake 1
Mistakes while conversion
Errors are common when converting units from one to another. To avoid this confusion, they need to remember certain basics of conversion like when doing unit conversion in a metric system, we need to either multiply or divide the value with powers of 10.
Mistake 2
Confusing with units
For each of the physical qualities, there are different measurement units, and it's common among kids that they confuse the units. To avoid it, students should understand the relationships between units.
Mistake 3
Errors in calculation
Due to carelessness and lack of practice, students tend to make basic calculation errors. So it is important to double-check and verify the answer when converting from one unit to another.
Mistake 4
Using the wrong tools for measurement
Using the wrong tools for measurements leads to wrong answers. For example, if we use a simple ruler to measure the length of a screw instead of a vernier’s caliper, the value attained will be inaccurate.
Mistake 5
Using the right instruments incorrectly to measure a quantity
Certain measuring tools have a particular method and steps that need to be followed to attain precise and accurate results. For example, while calculating time as a quantity using pendulum, the oscillations have to be observed at regular time intervals that are pre decided. If the time interval between certain oscillations is wrongly measured, it could lead to wrong answers. Hence, it is important to use the right instruments with the correct set of instructions.
Real-World Application of Measurement
Measurement is all around us, we use it in the field of construction, cooking, sports and so on. Let’s explore how we use measurement in the real world.
Construction: In the field of construction we need accurate measurements of the length, width, and height of the building
Sports: In sports, we use measurement field measurement, the performance of the athlete, and progress
Cooking: While cooking, we need to measure the ingredients
Travelling: while travelling from destination A to B, the distance between the two is measured to calculate the ETA.
Medicinal purposes: Dosages of medicines need to be measured precisely before being given to patients.
Solved examples in measurements
Problem 1
Tom wants to tile his garden, the length of each side of the square garden is 5200 mm. The cost of tiling 1 square meter of the garden is 2 dollars. Then how much is the total cost?
The total cost for tiling the garden is 54.08 dollars
Explanation
The length of the garden = 5200 mm
Cost of tiles per square meter = 2 dollars
Length of the garden in meter = 5200 ÷ 1000 = 5.2 m
Area of the garden = s2 = (5.2)2 = 27.04 m2
Total cost = 27.04 × 2 = 54.08 dollars
Problem 2
Harry needs 5 kg of flour, but in the shop, they only sell flour in packets of 200 grams. Calculate how many packets of flour Harry needs to buy.
The total packet of flour Harry needs to buy is 25 packets.
Explanation
Total flour needed = 5 kg
The weight of flour in each packet = 200g
1kg = 1000g
Total flour Harry needs in grams = 5 × 1000 = 5000 g
Number of packets required = 5000 ÷ 200 = 25
Harry needs to buy 25 packets of flour.
Problem 3
The dimensions of a room are 10 ft, 22 ft, and 34 ft. Then find the volume of the room
The volume of the room is 7,480 cubic feet.
Explanation
Volume of rectangular room = L x W x H
Here the L = 34 ft
W = 22 ft
H = 10ft
Volume = 34 ft × 22 ft × 10 ft = 7480 ft3.
Therefore, the volume is 7480 cubic feet.
Problem 4
A boy’s height is 165 cm. Express the height in meters.
1.65 meters
Explanation
To convert height from centimeters to meters
We divide the height in centimeters by 100 as, 1 meter = 100 centimeters
So 165 centimeters in meters = 165100 = 1.65 meters.
Problem 5
The area of a square park is 64 m². Calculate its perimeter.
32 meters
Explanation
Explanation: The formula for area of a square is: side2
Therefore,
Side = \(\)\( { \sqrt{area} }\)
Side = \( {\sqrt{64} }\)
Side = 8 m.
Now, the perimeter of square = 4 × side
Perimeter = 4 × 8
Perimeter = 32 m.
FAQs on Measurements
1.What are the seven basic units of measurement?
2.What are the three types of measurement?
3.Is time an interval or a ratio?
4.What is the symbol of the foot?
5.Why is measurement important?
6.What are the five uses of measurement?
7.What are the functions of measurement?
8.What are the two properties of measurement?
9.What are three things we measure in our everyday life?
Explore More Math Topics
From Numbers to Geometry and beyond, you can explore all the important Math topics by selecting from the list below:
| Numbers | Multiplication Tables |
| Geometry | Algebra |
| Calculus | Trigonometry |
| Commercial Math | Data |
| Math Formulas | Math Questions |
| Math Calculators | Math Worksheets |
