Grade 4 · Measurement & Data · MAT-04-MD-003
Solve Measurement Word Problems
Represent and solve solve measurement word problems problems using accurate mathematical models, notation, and reasoning.
Learning objectives
What you should be able to do
- Represent and solve solve measurement word problems problems using accurate mathematical models, notation, and reasoning.
- Explain why a strategy for solve measurement word problems works and verify the result with an independent check.
Prerequisite check
Make sure the foundation is ready.
The new lesson builds directly on this prior concept, so the prerequisite should be usable rather than merely familiar.
Learn
Build the idea from meaning, not memorization.
Meaning and structure
Solve Measurement Word Problems is a measurement & data idea built from precise quantities, representations, and operations. The mathematical goal is to preserve the meaning of each quantity while choosing a representation that makes the relationship visible.
Represent the idea
The Math Box uses measurement sorter as the primary representation. Translate the situation into numbers or geometry first, identify what stays fixed, then change one quantity at a time and observe which relationships remain invariant.
Reason, calculate, and verify
A convincing solution names the quantities, shows the mathematical relationship, computes accurately, and includes a reasonableness check rather than relying on an unsupported answer.
Math Box · Interactive lesson
Touch the math. Change it. See what stays true.
Use the interactive model before and after the worked examples. Change the inputs, make a prediction, then use the model to test whether your reasoning holds.
Measurement Conversion Lab
Use equivalent units to preserve the same physical length while changing the numerical description.
- Build one example of solve measurement word problems in the Math Box.
- Change one input and predict the effect before moving the control.
- Explain which mathematical relationship stayed invariant after the change.
Worked examples
Twenty different ways to see the concept work.
A container starts with 10 liters and 2 liters are used. How many liters remain?
10 − 2 = 8 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 12 liters and 3 liters are used. How many liters remain?
12 − 3 = 9 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 14 liters and 4 liters are used. How many liters remain?
14 − 4 = 10 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 16 liters and 5 liters are used. How many liters remain?
16 − 5 = 11 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 18 liters and 6 liters are used. How many liters remain?
18 − 6 = 12 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 20 liters and 7 liters are used. How many liters remain?
20 − 7 = 13 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 22 liters and 8 liters are used. How many liters remain?
22 − 8 = 14 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 24 liters and 2 liters are used. How many liters remain?
24 − 2 = 22 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 26 liters and 3 liters are used. How many liters remain?
26 − 3 = 23 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 28 liters and 4 liters are used. How many liters remain?
28 − 4 = 24 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 30 liters and 5 liters are used. How many liters remain?
30 − 5 = 25 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 32 liters and 6 liters are used. How many liters remain?
32 − 6 = 26 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 34 liters and 7 liters are used. How many liters remain?
34 − 7 = 27 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 36 liters and 8 liters are used. How many liters remain?
36 − 8 = 28 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 38 liters and 2 liters are used. How many liters remain?
38 − 2 = 36 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 40 liters and 3 liters are used. How many liters remain?
40 − 3 = 37 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 42 liters and 4 liters are used. How many liters remain?
42 − 4 = 38 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 44 liters and 5 liters are used. How many liters remain?
44 − 5 = 39 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 46 liters and 6 liters are used. How many liters remain?
46 − 6 = 40 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
A container starts with 48 liters and 7 liters are used. How many liters remain?
48 − 7 = 41 litersThe unit stays liters throughout, and subtraction finds the amount remaining.
Practice
Guided practice with hints
01A container starts with 50 liters and 8 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Hint: Name the quantities and representation first; then choose the operation or comparison that preserves their meaning.
Answer: 50 − 8 = 42 liters
02A container starts with 52 liters and 2 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Hint: Name the quantities and representation first; then choose the operation or comparison that preserves their meaning.
Answer: 52 − 2 = 50 liters
03A container starts with 54 liters and 3 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Hint: Name the quantities and representation first; then choose the operation or comparison that preserves their meaning.
Answer: 54 − 3 = 51 liters
04A container starts with 56 liters and 4 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Hint: Name the quantities and representation first; then choose the operation or comparison that preserves their meaning.
Answer: 56 − 4 = 52 liters
05A container starts with 58 liters and 5 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Hint: Name the quantities and representation first; then choose the operation or comparison that preserves their meaning.
Answer: 58 − 5 = 53 liters
06A container starts with 60 liters and 6 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Hint: Name the quantities and representation first; then choose the operation or comparison that preserves their meaning.
Answer: 60 − 6 = 54 liters
Practice
Independent practice
01A container starts with 62 liters and 7 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 62 − 7 = 55 liters
02A container starts with 64 liters and 8 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 64 − 8 = 56 liters
03A container starts with 66 liters and 2 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 66 − 2 = 64 liters
04A container starts with 68 liters and 3 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 68 − 3 = 65 liters
05A container starts with 70 liters and 4 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 70 − 4 = 66 liters
06A container starts with 72 liters and 5 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 72 − 5 = 67 liters
07A container starts with 74 liters and 6 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 74 − 6 = 68 liters
08A container starts with 76 liters and 7 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 76 − 7 = 69 liters
Common mistakes
Learn to catch the error, not just the answer.
Identify what each number represents and how the quantities are related before selecting an operation.
Estimate, use an inverse operation, or compare with a second representation.
Applications & challenge
Use the idea beyond a single exercise.
Applications
- Use solve measurement word problems when solving multi-step problems in measurement, data, money, design, or everyday quantitative decisions.
- Explain the result with units and a second check so another person can audit the reasoning.
Challenge problems
A container starts with 78 liters and 8 liters are used. How many liters remain?
78 − 8 = 70 liters
A container starts with 80 liters and 2 liters are used. How many liters remain?
80 − 2 = 78 liters
A container starts with 82 liters and 3 liters are used. How many liters remain?
82 − 3 = 79 liters
A container starts with 84 liters and 4 liters are used. How many liters remain?
84 − 4 = 80 liters
Flashcards
Retrieve it from memory.
Flashcards
Card 1 of 4
Game mode
Grade 4 Math Strategy Sprint
Solve and explain solve measurement word problems problems accurately, then check each result with a second method.
Practice
Mastery check
01A container starts with 86 liters and 5 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 86 − 5 = 81 liters
02A container starts with 88 liters and 6 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 88 − 6 = 82 liters
03A container starts with 90 liters and 7 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 90 − 7 = 83 liters
04A container starts with 92 liters and 8 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 92 − 8 = 84 liters
05A container starts with 94 liters and 2 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 94 − 2 = 92 liters
06A container starts with 96 liters and 3 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 96 − 3 = 93 liters
07A container starts with 98 liters and 4 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 98 − 4 = 94 liters
08A container starts with 100 liters and 5 liters are used. How many liters remain?
Answer: 100 − 5 = 95 liters
Terminology
Words to know
- representation
- A diagram, model, equation, table, graph, or other form showing a mathematical idea.
- strategy
- A purposeful method chosen to solve or analyze a problem.
- estimate
- A nearby value used to judge size or reasonableness.
- verify
- To confirm a result using a second calculation, representation, or logical check.
Continue learning
Connected concepts
Curriculum references
Standards and instructional references
California Mathematics Framework (2023)
Grade-level instructional guidance, mathematical practices, and coherent progression.Common Core State Standards for Mathematics — Grades 4–5
Grade-level expectations for operations, number and fraction work, measurement, data, and geometry.Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All
Evidence-based emphasis on reasoning, representations, discourse, and conceptual understanding.