New
New
Year 5
Compare and describe lengths using knowledge of multiplication
I can compare and describe lengths using knowledge of multiplication.
New
New
Year 5
Compare and describe lengths using knowledge of multiplication
I can compare and describe lengths using knowledge of multiplication.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Lengths can be compared using multiplication.
- Comparisons of length can be represented as a multiplication equation.
- The stem sentence, 'The __ is __ times the length of the __' can be used to compare and describe lengths.
Keywords
Times the length/height/depth - Times the length/height/depth is a phrase that is used to compare and describe lengths or heights. For example, one tree might be three times the height of another tree; it is three times as tall.
Twice - Twice means ‘two times as many’. For example, ‘He asked her twice’ means she was asked two times. In maths, we can say twice four is eight because two times four is eight.
Common misconception
Children may say, 'Times longer' but this is imprecise.
We say 'Times the length' because this is more precise.
It is important that children are fluent with their times table facts so they can focus on the scaling structure without overload. In this lesson, language will be developed to support the connection between comparison and multiplicative reasoning. Offer practical examples where possible.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
3 × 6 =
Q2.
What number is 6 times 6?
Q3.
How many 7s are there in 42?
5
7
8
Q4.
Which number is 10 times the size of 25?
205
2500
2.5
Q5.
Which calculation would solve this problem: How many 8s are there in 72?
72 − 8 =
8 × 72 =
72 ÷ 8 =
Q6.
Match the equations to their solution.
49
64
36
25
81
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which sentence describes this image?
The black ribbon is 3 times the length of one white ribbon.
The white ribbon is 3 times the length of one black ribbon.
The black ribbon is 4 times the length of one white ribbon.
Q2.
The black ribbon is 6 cm long. How long is the white ribbon? The white ribbon is cm long.
Q3.
The black ribbon is 7 cm long. Which calculation would you need to use to calculate the length of the white ribbon?
7 × 4 =
7 + 3 =
Q4.
Which statements describe this image?
The length of the green ribbon is double the length of the white ribbon.
The length of the green ribbon is two times the length of the white ribbon.
Q5.
The green ribbon is 12 cm long. How long is the white ribbon?
14 cm
20 cm
42 cm
Q6.
Which equation describes the length of the blue ribbon?
1 cm × 30 = 30 cm
30 cm × 2 = 60 cm