How to explain length in measures word problems to your student
27 October 2026
When children start working with measures in maths, word problems about length can seem tricky at first. The key is to break the problem down into simple steps, so your child can see exactly what is being asked.
Worked example
A ribbon is 45 centimetres long. Another ribbon is 30 centimetres long. How long are the two ribbons altogether?
Step 1: Write down the lengths to add: 45 cm and 30 cm.
Step 2: Add the numbers: 45 + 30 = 75.
Step 3: Write the answer with the unit: 75 centimetres.
The correct answer is 75 centimetres.
After seeing this example, your child will recognise how to add lengths together and use the correct units. They can now try similar questions to build confidence with measures word problems. This approach is helpful for 11+ maths and is often found on sites like maths.com uk.
