Length word problems within 100 · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Solving length word problems

Mathematics · Measurement · ages 7-8
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A stick is 18 cm long. You tape another 7 cm piece onto the end. How long is the stick now?

    • 11 cm
    • 25 cm
    • 26 cm

  2. A ribbon is 30 cm long. You cut off 10 cm. How long is it now?

    • 10 cm
    • 20 cm
    • 40 cm

  3. In a word problem, if a piece is cut off a rope, you should add the numbers to find what's left.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. The rope is 75 cm long. I cut off 28 cm. How long is it now?

    Answer: ______________

  5. A wire is 52 cm long. After a piece is cut off, the number line shows it landing at 34 cm. How many cm were cut off?

    0102030405060?
    • 8 cm
    • 18 cm
    • 28 cm

  6. A board is 68 cm long. After a piece is cut off, 41 cm is left. Which equation finds the length cut off, using n for the unknown?

    • 68 + n = 41
    • 68 − n = 41
    • n − 68 = 41

  7. A rope is 90 cm long. First, 25 cm is cut off. Then another 15 cm is cut off. How long is the rope now?

    Answer: ______________

  8. Mia says: 'A ribbon is 24 cm long. I add a 16 cm piece, so the total is 24 − 16 = 8 cm.' What mistake did Mia make?

    • She should have added: 24 + 16 = 40 cm
    • She should have used bigger numbers
    • She made no mistake
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Solving length word problems W1-mt_DLcEzmmj2r-s1

  1. 25 cm · Taping on a piece makes the stick longer, so add: 18 + 7 = 25 cm.
  2. 20 cm · Cutting off means subtract: 30 − 10 = 20 cm left.
  3. False · Cutting off makes the rope shorter, so you subtract, not add.
  4. 47 · 75 − 28 = 47, so 47 cm of rope is left.
  5. 18 cm · The hop goes from 52 down to 34, a jump of 18, so 18 cm was cut off.
  6. 68 − n = 41 · Start length minus the missing piece equals what's left: 68 − n = 41.
  7. 50 · 90 − 25 = 65, then 65 − 15 = 50. The rope is now 50 cm long.
  8. She should have added: 24 + 16 = 40 cm · Adding a piece makes the ribbon longer, so Mia needed to add, not subtract.
Worksheet · LightMySky