Grade 4 Measurement: Word Problems

Worked examples

Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.

1. Example 1

   A ribbon is 8 feet long. Mia cuts off 40 inches. How many inches of ribbon are left?

   1. Change feet to inches first. 1 foot = 12 inches, so 8 feet = 8 × 12 = 96 inches.
   2. Take away the piece Mia cuts off: 96 − 40 = 56.
   3. 56 inches of ribbon are left.

   Answer: 56

2. Example 2

   A watermelon weighs 8 pounds. A cantaloupe weighs 32 ounces. How many more ounces does the watermelon weigh than the cantaloupe?

   1. Change pounds to ounces so both weights use the same unit. 1 pound = 16 ounces, so 8 pounds = 8 × 16 = 128 ounces.
   2. “How many more” means subtract: 128 − 32 = 96.
   3. The watermelon weighs 96 more ounces than the cantaloupe.

   Answer: 96

3. Example 3

   A movie is 2 hours 5 minutes long. How many minutes long is the movie?

   1. Change the hours to minutes. 1 hour = 60 minutes, so 2 hours = 2 × 60 = 120 minutes.
   2. Add the extra minutes: 120 + 5 = 125.
   3. The movie is 125 minutes long.

   Answer: 125