Place value and measurement

Quick answer

Place value helps us understand how numbers are built using tens, hundreds, thousands, and so on. Measurement uses these place values to show how much of something there is, like how many metres or grams. When we measure things, we use place value to read and write numbers that are bigger or smaller.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how place value helps us measure things in metres, centimetres, litres, and grams, and how to use these measurements in everyday life.

• You can read and write numbers that are measured in metres, centimetres, litres, and grams.
• You can compare how much of something there is using place value.
• You can use place value to change between different units of measurement.
• You can solve simple problems involving measurements using place value.

Why this matters

Understanding place value helps us make sense of numbers when we measure things. Whether you're measuring how tall you are, how much juice you drink, or how much flour you need for a cake, place value helps you read and use these numbers correctly.

Place value also helps us understand how numbers grow. For example, 100 centimetres make 1 metre. That means we can use place value to see how many times bigger something is. This is useful in cooking, building, sports, and science!

How it works

Place value means that the position of each digit in a number shows its value. For example, in the number 245:

1. The digit 2 is in the hundreds place, so it means 200.
2. The digit 4 is in the tens place, so it means 40.
3. The digit 5 is in the ones place, so it means 5.

When we measure things, we use the same idea. For example:

• 100 centimetres = 1 metre
• 1000 grams = 1 kilogram
• 1000 millilitres = 1 litre

This shows how place value helps us change between units of measurement.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at how place value works with measurements:

Let’s try a few examples:

• If you have 300 centimetres of ribbon, that’s 3 metres.
• If a bottle holds 5000 millilitres of water, that’s 5 litres.
• If a bag weighs 2500 grams, that’s 2.5 kilograms.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a chef in a kitchen. You need to measure ingredients for a cake. You have 1 kilogram of flour, 500 grams of sugar, and 2 litres of milk. How much do you have in total?

First, you need to change everything to the same unit. Let’s use grams for weight and millilitres for volume:

1. 1 kilogram = 1000 grams
2. 500 grams = 500 grams
3. 2 litres = 2000 millilitres

So, you have 1000 + 500 = 1500 grams of flour and sugar. And 2000 millilitres of milk.

Now, let’s make a recipe chart:

Can you add up the total weight of flour and sugar? And how much milk is there?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that 1000 millilitres = 100 litres
• Why it happens: Confusing place value with measurement
• Fix: Remember that 1000 millilitres = 1 litre, so 1000 millilitres is 1000 times smaller than 1 litre

• Mistake: Mixing up grams and kilograms
• Why it happens: Not remembering that 1 kilogram = 1000 grams
• Fix: Use the fact that 1000 is 10 times 100, so 1000 grams = 1 kilogram

• Mistake: Not lining up numbers when adding measurements
• Why it happens: Not understanding place value
• Fix: Write measurements in columns, like in a place value chart

Parent and carer guide

Help your child understand place value and measurement by:

• Using everyday examples like cooking or shopping to show how measurements work.
• Playing games where you ask them to convert between units (e.g., “How many centimetres are in 3 metres?”)
• Encouraging them to write numbers in place value charts to see how each digit changes the value.
• Using tools like rulers, scales, and measuring cups to help them see the measurements.
• Letting them help with real-life tasks like packing a suitcase or measuring ingredients for a recipe.

Remember, it’s okay if they make mistakes. Mistakes help children learn. If they say 1000 millilitres = 100 litres, gently remind them that 1000 is 10 times 100, so 1000 millilitres = 1 litre.

Practice questions

1. How many centimetres are in 4 metres?
2. How many grams are in 2 kilograms?
3. How many millilitres are in 3 litres?
4. How many litres are in 5000 millilitres?
5. How many kilograms are in 7000 grams?

Answers:

1. 400 centimetres
2. 2000 grams
3. 3000 millilitres
4. 5 litres
5. 7 kilograms

FAQ

What is place value?

Place value is how the position of a digit in a number shows its value. For example, in 345, the 3 is in the hundreds place, so it means 300.

How do I change from one measurement unit to another?

You use place value. For example, 1000 millilitres = 1 litre, so you divide by 1000 to go from millilitres to litres.

Why do we use place value in measurement?

It helps us understand how big or small things are. For example, 1000 centimetres = 10 metres, so we know how many times bigger one measurement is than another.

Can I use place value with any measurement?

Yes! You can use place value with length, weight, and volume. It helps you compare and change between units.

What are some real-life examples of place value and measurement?

When you cook, you might use 2 litres of milk. When you measure your height, you might say you are 150 centimetres tall. When you buy fruit, you might buy 500 grams of apples.