Standard units of measure

Mensuration and calculation

Mensuration is about the process of measurement. It is based on the use of algebraic equations and geometric calculations to provide measurements regarding width, depth and volume of a specific object or group of objects.


Units of measure include length, time and volume. These are all examples that can be quantified.

When looking at ‘standard’ units of measure, we are focusing on the units that are most frequently used to measure quantity, for example one second (1s), one kilometre (1km) or one metre squared (1{ m }^{ 2 }).

1 centimetre (cm) = 10 millimetres (mm)

1 Metre = 100 centimetres

1 Mile = 1.60934 kilometres (km)

One second (1s) is an example of a measurement of time.

One kilometre (1 km) is an example of a measurement of length.
(‘Kilometre’ is a unit used to measure long distances. ‘Metres’ are also used to measure long distances.)

One metre squared (1{ m }^{ 2 }) is an example of a measurement of area.

One metre squared (1{ m }^{ 2 }) is an example of a measurement of volume.

For example the distance between London and Manchester is 264 km.

The battery above is 2.6cm wide OR 26mm wide.

Quantities can be measured such as length, time and volume.

Distance

Long distances tend to be measured in kilometres (km) and miles.

Short distances tend to be measured in metres (m), centimetres (cm) and millimetres (mm).

Area and volume

Area is usually measured in km², m², cm² and mm².

Volume is usually measured in m³, cm³ and mm³.

Speed

The formula for speed is:

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Speed is measured as m/s, km/h and mph.

Density

Density is mass/volume and is measured in kg/m³ and g/cm³.

Pressure

Pressure is force/area and is measured in Pascal (Pa).

Here are important unit conversions:

LengthMassCapacity
1cm=10mm1g=1000mg1cm=10ml
1m=100cm1kg=1000g{ 1cm }^{ 3 }=1ml
1km=1000m1 tonne=1000kg1litre=1000ml
1litre={ 1000cm }^{ 3 }