Number as Measure Math Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
A pencil measures 17.3 cm long. Identify the number, the unit, and what is being measured.

Solution

  1. 1
    The number is 17.3.
  2. 2
    The unit is centimeters (cm).
  3. 3
    What is being measured: the length of the pencil.

Answer

Number: 17.3  ∣  Unit: cm  ∣  Attribute: length\text{Number: } 17.3 \;|\; \text{Unit: cm} \;|\; \text{Attribute: length}
Every measurement has three components: a number (the count of units), a unit (the standard), and the attribute being measured (length, mass, time, etc.). Confusing these leads to errors like comparing 17.3 cm to 17.3 inches as if they were equal.

About Number as Measure

Using numbers to represent the size or amount of a real-world quantity, always paired with a unit of measurement.

Learn more about Number as Measure →

More Number as Measure Examples

Example 2 medium

A rope is measured as 3 meters. Convert this to centimeters and to millimeters.

Example 3 easy

Two students measure the same desk. Student A says it is 90 cm; Student B says it is 0.9 m. Are they

Example 4 medium

A thermometer reads [formula]C. Convert this to Fahrenheit using [formula].

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