How to Add Measurements in Grade 4

Adding measurements requires multiplication and division.

Addition of measurements requires using fractions. This can include converting from ounces to pounds, inches to feet or minutes to hours. Adding measurements needs more than addition techniques, since division and multiplication are necessary to find the solution. Addition of measurements can be calculated using fourth-grade math skills.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator (optional)

Instructions

1. Choose the measurements you are adding by looking at the units you have been given. Pounds and ounces are units of mass, feet and inches are units of length.

2. Add the smallest of the units together. For example, if you are adding 10 pounds 13 ounces and 8 pounds 5 ounces, add the ounces together. The result of this is 18 ounces.

3. Divide this number by the number of smaller units that can fit into the larger unit. The number of ounces in a pound is 16, so divide 18 ounces by 16. You are left with 1 pound and 2 ounces.

4. Add the number of the larger unit together. In the example above, there are 10 pounds and 8 pounds. This makes 18 pounds.

5. Add the remaining values together. 18 pounds + 1 pound 2 ounces is 19 pounds 2 ounces. This is the total value of the measurement.

Tips & Warnings

• Knowing the number of smaller units that fit into the larger unit will make this addition much easier. For example, knowing that 16 ounces make 1 pound will make it easy to spot mistakes.

Resources

• AAA Math: Fourth Grade