How Long Are Meters? Exploring the World of Measurement with Khan Academy

Welcome to Khan Academy’s exploration of measurement! Today, we’re going to answer the question that’s on every curious kid’s mind: How long are meters?

First, let’s talk about what a meter actually is. A meter is a unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). The SI is a standardized system of measurement used all over the world, so if you’re traveling to another country, you’ll still be able to use meters to measure things like distance and height.

Now, back to the question at hand: how long is a meter? A meter is approximately 3.28 feet long. That means if you lined up three and a quarter rulers end to end, you’d have a meter!

But why do we use meters instead of other units of measurement, like inches or yards? Well, the meter is based on a universal constant: the speed of light. That means a meter is the same length no matter where you are in the world or what you’re measuring.

In addition to length, the SI also has units for other types of measurement, like mass, time, and temperature. For example, the unit of mass is the kilogram, the unit of time is the second, and the unit of temperature is the Kelvin.

Now that you know a little bit more about meters, let’s try some fun activities to practice measuring things in meters!

Activity 1: Measure your stride. Walk a distance of 10 meters and count how many steps it takes you to get there. Divide the number of steps by 10 to find out how many meters your stride is!

Activity 2: Measure your room. Use a tape measure or ruler to measure the length and width of your room in meters. You can also measure the height of your room in meters by using a measuring tape or ruler and measuring from the floor to the ceiling.

Activity 3: Measure your favorite things. Find some objects around your house, like a toy or a book, and measure their length, width, and height in meters. You can use a ruler, tape measure, or even a piece of string to measure the objects.

With these fun activities, you’ll be a pro at measuring things in meters in no time! And remember, if you ever have any questions about measurement, Khan Academy is always here to help. Happy measuring!