Understand the idea.
Compare like with like
To compare measurements by their counts, first check that the units match. With the same tiles, more tiles means greater length. With the same full cups, more cups means greater capacity. Equal counters can compare masses on a balance.
Find how much more
To find how much longer or how much more, subtract the smaller count from the larger count. Seven blocks compared with four blocks has a gap of blocks. Different-sized cups or blocks must be matched before their counts can be compared.
See the method in action.
Longer by how much?
Stick A is 9 blocks long. Stick B is 6 of the same blocks long. How much longer is A?
Worked solution
- 1
Check the units in both measurements.
Both sticks are measured with the same blocks.
- 2
Subtract the shorter count from the longer.
The shared first six block-lengths cancel, leaving the extra part of A.
- 3
Name the difference.
Stick A is three blocks longer than stick B.
3 blocks longer.
An unfair comparison
A pot holds 5 small cups. A jug holds 4 large cups. Does the pot definitely hold more?
Worked solution
- 1
Check whether the cup units match.
The pot uses small cups and the jug uses large cups.
- 2
Explain why the counts do not settle it.
Five small cupfuls could hold less than four large cupfuls; their relative sizes are not given.
- 3
Choose a fair way to compare.
Measure both with the same full cup; the given counts alone cannot decide.
We cannot tell from these counts alone.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
A tub holds 8 cups. A bowl holds 5 of the same cups. How much more does the tub hold?
Show answer & reasoning
3 cups more.
Both use the same cup, so subtract their counts: . The tub holds three cups more.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- Ribbon A is 8 tiles long. Ribbon B is 5 of the same tiles long. Which is longer?
- A jar holds 9 scoops. A bowl holds 6 of the same scoops. How many more scoops does the jar hold?
- Toy A balances with 4 equal counters. Toy B balances with 7 of the same counters. Which has less mass?
- Order these lengths from shortest to longest: 6 blocks, 3 blocks, 8 blocks. All blocks match.
- A board is 6 hand spans long. A shelf is 5 shoe lengths long. Can you decide which is longer from these counts?
- How many blocks longer is row A than row B?
Read the worked solutions
- Ribbon A is 8 tiles long. Ribbon B is 5 of the same tiles long. Which is longer?
8 is greater than 5.
Ribbon A. - A jar holds 9 scoops. A bowl holds 6 of the same scoops. How many more scoops does the jar hold?
.
3 scoops. - Toy A balances with 4 equal counters. Toy B balances with 7 of the same counters. Which has less mass?
4 equal counters have less mass than 7.
Toy A. - Order these lengths from shortest to longest: 6 blocks, 3 blocks, 8 blocks. All blocks match.
.
3 blocks, 6 blocks, 8 blocks. - A board is 6 hand spans long. A shelf is 5 shoe lengths long. Can you decide which is longer from these counts?
Hand spans and shoe lengths are different units.
No. - How many blocks longer is row A than row B?
A has 6 and B has 4.
.
2 blocks longer.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Length, mass and capacity; uniform informal units; smaller units for accuracy; comparison.
Official curriculum source ↗