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Linear Measurement - Definition with Examples

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What is Linear Measurement?

The linear measurement is the distance between the two given points or objects. Thus, we can define length as:

“Total gap measured between the leftmost and rightmost end of an object in the mentioned system of units.”

linear measurement

Measuring the length of a banana using tape. The length approximates to 5 inches.

 

Similarly, “height” is the linear measurement between the top and bottom of an object. For example, the height of the cone and a ladder as shown in the image.

real life example of linear measurement

The height of the object is the distance between the top and the bottom.

 

The basic tools used for linear measurement are:

  • Ruler – The standard rulers generally measure 15 and 30 cm with markings in mm, cm on top and inches on the bottom.

ruler

Standard ruler with measurement markings in millimeter (mm), centimeter (cm) on top and inches on bottom.

 

  • Measuring tape – The measuring tape is more commonly used to measure longer objects such as walls, pieces of fabric and tiles. A measuring tape has metric markings and U.S. customary markings.

measuring tape

Pocket measuring tape with a metal strip and foldable measuring tape.

The markings on the tape and ruler are in the metric and customary system. The next section lists the different units of measurement for length and height.

 

Units of Linear Measurement

 U.S. Customary Units

  International System / Metric Units

 Inches – in

 Foot – ft

 Yards – yd

  Miles – mile

 Millimeters – mm

 Centimeters – cm

 Meters - m

 Kilometers – km

 

Using instruments like a ruler and tape, children can measure surrounding objects such as pencil, shoe, a remote, toy car, and spoon. The example below illustrates the placement of a ruler against a screwdriver to measure its length.

To measure the length, place the object and ruler with the tip at the “0”. Mark the number at the end of the object to measure the total length. 

measure the length

Measuring an object using a ruler.

 

Application

The concept of measurement is the primary step towards quantitative analysis. Kids learn to gather the numbers in terms of measurable quantities such as length, breadth, and height. The knowledge of physical dimensions of objects is used in learning geometry, drawing scalable maps, architecture, and estimating unknown quantities for shapes with the help of formulas.

  Fun Facts

  • In the early days, the length of body parts became the basis for acceptable measurements.

  • As per the orders of King Edward II of England, one inch equaled to placing 3 grains of barley end-to-end lengthwise.

  • The foot length of the statue of Cossutius in Rome measured 30.49 cm, approximated to 1 foot.

  • Romans used the brass measuring rods in the 16th century for architectural and construction purpose.

 

Related Math Vocabulary

  • Length

  • Tools of linear measurement

  • Imperial Metrics

  • SI Metrics

  • Unit conversion

 

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