Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Checking understanding of place value in metric units

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can interpret place value in the context of measure (metric).

      Key learning points

      1. Prefixes give you information about the place value of a measure.
      2. The measurement units determine the place value of each digit.
      3. The measurement units can often be deduced from context.

      Keywords

      • Metric - Metric units are based around the standard units of metre, gram and litre.

      • Prefix - A prefix is a group of letters attached to the front of a root (word) to make a new word, for example tricycle.

      • Centi - Centi placed before a unit means (1/100)

      • Milli - Milli placed before a unit means (1/1000)

      • Kilo - Kilo placed before a unit means 1000 times.

      Common misconception

      Pupils may consider non-metric units in discussion.

      Remind them that the metric units are based around the metre, gram and litre only.

      Teacher tip

      It would be helpful to have a metre rule and centimetre rulers available and if possible, a drinks bottle.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the value of the digit 6 in the number 362?

      6 hundreds
      Correct answer: 6 tens
      6 ones

      Q2.
      Starting with the smallest, sort these numbers in ascending order.

      1 - 123
      2 - 132
      3 - 231
      4 - 312
      5 - 321

      Q3.
      Which of these are NOT equal to $$10^2$$?

      100
      $$10\times10$$
      Correct answer: $$1\over100$$
      Correct answer: 20
      $$1000\div10$$

      Q4.
      Match the keywords with their correct definitions.

      Correct Answer:Integer,Any positive or negative whole number or zero.

      Any positive or negative whole number or zero.

      Correct Answer:Decimal form,A number which has digits after the decimal point.

      A number which has digits after the decimal point.

      Correct Answer:Digit,A symbol used in a number system. We use 0-9 in our system.

      A symbol used in a number system. We use 0-9 in our system.

      Q5.
      Which of these is a ruler?

      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q6.
      Starting with the smallest, sort these numbers into ascending order.

      1 - 0.0052
      2 - 0.052
      3 - 0.0521
      4 - 0.52
      5 - 0.523

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following is NOT a unit of mass?

      gram
      kilogram
      Correct answer: litre
      milligram

      Q2.
      Match the most appropriate unit to each object.

      Correct Answer:The width of sellotape is 2,centimetres

      centimetres

      Correct Answer:The height of a door is 2,metres

      metres

      Correct Answer:The thickness of a wire is 2,millimetres

      millimetres

      Q3.
      Which of these are standard metric units?

      Foot
      Correct answer: Litre
      Correct answer: Gram
      Correct answer: Metre
      Acorn

      Q4.
      Instead of saying $${7}\over{1000}$$ of a gram, you could say $$7$$ __________.

      kilograms
      Correct answer: milligrams
      centigrams

      Q5.
      What is the place value of the 3 in 3 kg?

      Correct answer: ones
      tens
      hundreds
      thousands

      Q6.
      Using place value and the meaning of the prefix, which of these decimals is equivalent to 5 centilitres?

      0.005 litres
      Correct answer: 0.05 litres
      0.5 litres

      To help you plan your 7 maths lesson on: Checking understanding of place value in metric units, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...