Reading scales

The Maths Habit

How many posts? How many gaps between them?

5 posts but only 4 gaps. There is always one gap fewer than posts.

Scale
Marks along a line, some with numbers, used to measure.
Gap
How far it is from one number on the scale to the next.
Space
The distance from one small mark to the next.

0102030
  1. Find the gap between two numbers.0 to 10: a gap of 10.
  2. Count the spaces, not the marks.5 spaces.
  3. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces.10 ÷ 5 = 2
  4. Count on to the pointer.20, 22, 24, 26

How many spaces between 0 and 20?

02040 4 spaces

How many spaces between 0 and 100?

0100200 5 spaces

What is the reading? Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. 14

0102030
gap 10÷spaces 5=each mark 2

What is the reading? Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. 110

050100150
gap 50÷spaces 5=each mark 10

What is the reading? Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. 14

0102030
gap 10÷spaces 5=each mark 2

What is the reading? Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. 35

0204060
gap 20÷spaces 4=each mark 5

What is the reading? Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. 14

0102030
gap 10÷spaces 5=each mark 2

How much water is in the jug? Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. 180 ml

100200300400500ml
gap 100÷spaces 5=each mark 20

What is the reading? Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. 14

0102030
gap 10÷spaces 5=each mark 2

How much sugar is on the scales? Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. 450 g

02004006008001000g

What is the reading? Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. 14

0102030
gap 10÷spaces 5=each mark 2

Draw an arrow to show 70. Count the spaces between two numbers, not the marks. Each mark is the gap ÷ the spaces. each mark is 5

020406080
gap 20÷spaces 4=each mark 5

Reading scales worksheet, page 1

0102030
  1. Find the marks either side.26 and 28.
  2. Halfway is the number in the middle.27

What number is halfway between 40 and 50?

40   ?   50 45

What number is halfway between 200 and 300?

200   ?   300 250

What is the reading? Between two marks? Find the marks either side. Halfway is the number in the middle. 13

0102030
gap 10÷spaces 5=each mark 2

What is the reading? Between two marks? Find the marks either side. Halfway is the number in the middle. 250

0100200300
gap 100÷spaces 5=each mark 20

What is the reading? Between two marks? Find the marks either side. Halfway is the number in the middle. 13

0102030
gap 10÷spaces 5=each mark 2

How much water is in the jug? Between two marks? Find the marks either side. Halfway is the number in the middle. 330

100200300400500ml
gap 100÷spaces 5=each mark 20

Reading scales worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

Thumbs up: right. Thumbs down: wrong.

  1. From 0 to 10 there are 5 spaces, so each mark is 2

    Right

  2. From 0 to 100 there are 5 spaces, so each mark is 25

    Wrong: 20

  3. From 0 to 50 there are 10 spaces, so each mark is 5

    Right

  4. From 0 to 1000 there are 4 spaces, so each mark is 200

    Wrong: 250

  1. A scale goes 0, 30, 60, 90 with 3 spaces between the numbers. What is each mark worth?

    10

  2. A jug has 5 spaces between 0 and 1 litre (1000 ml). What is each mark worth?

    200 ml

  3. A pointer is halfway between 350 and 400. What does it show?

    375

  1. What is the reading?

    35
    0204060

  2. How much water is in the jug?

    280 ml
    100200300400500ml

  3. The arrow is halfway between two marks. What is the reading?

    75
    050100
Exit tickets to print