Comparing Weights
Comparing weights means finding out which object is heavier, which is lighter, or if two objects weigh the same. In Class 2, we learn to compare weights using a balance and by reading numbers on a scale.
When you hold a cricket ball in one hand and a tennis ball in the other, you can feel which one is heavier. That is comparing weights!
What is Comparing Weights - Class 2 Maths (Measurement (Grade 2))?
When we compare weights, we check:
- Which object is heavier (weighs more)
- Which object is lighter (weighs less)
- How much heavier or lighter one object is than the other
Difference in weight = Heavier weight − Lighter weight
Types and Properties
Ways to compare weights:
- By holding: Pick up two objects, one in each hand. The hand that goes down holds the heavier object.
- Using a balance: Place one object on each side. The side that goes down is heavier.
- Using a scale: Weigh both objects. Compare the numbers — the bigger number is heavier.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Using a Balance
Question: Ria puts an apple on one side of a balance and a banana on the other. The apple side goes down. Which is heavier?
Think:
- The side that goes down has the heavier object
- The apple side went down
Answer: The apple is heavier than the banana.
Example 2: Example 2: Comparing by Numbers
Question: A bag of rice weighs 5 kg. A bag of sugar weighs 2 kg. Which is heavier and by how much?
Think:
- Rice = 5 kg, Sugar = 2 kg
- 5 > 2, so rice is heavier
- Difference = 5 − 2 = 3 kg
Answer: The rice is heavier by 3 kg.
Example 3: Example 3: Same Weight
Question: Aman puts two packets of biscuits on a balance. Both sides are level. What does this mean?
Think:
- When both sides are level, the weights are equal
Answer: Both packets have the same weight.
Example 4: Example 4: Three Objects
Question: A mango weighs 200 g, a guava weighs 150 g, and a banana weighs 100 g. Arrange from lightest to heaviest.
Think:
- Banana = 100 g (smallest)
- Guava = 150 g
- Mango = 200 g (biggest)
Answer: Lightest to heaviest: Banana (100 g), Guava (150 g), Mango (200 g).
Example 5: Example 5: Finding Difference in Grams
Question: Priya's tiffin box weighs 300 g when empty. With food, it weighs 800 g. How heavy is the food?
Think:
- Tiffin with food = 800 g
- Empty tiffin = 300 g
- Weight of food = 800 − 300 = 500 g
Answer: The food weighs 500 g.
Example 6: Example 6: Heavier or Lighter
Question: A watermelon weighs 4 kg. A pineapple weighs 2 kg. How much lighter is the pineapple?
Think:
- Watermelon = 4 kg, Pineapple = 2 kg
- Difference = 4 − 2 = 2 kg
Answer: The pineapple is 2 kg lighter than the watermelon.
Example 7: Example 7: Word Problem
Question: Dev's school bag weighs 3 kg. Arjun's school bag weighs 5 kg. Whose bag is heavier? By how much?
Think:
- Dev's bag = 3 kg, Arjun's bag = 5 kg
- 5 > 3, so Arjun's bag is heavier
- Difference = 5 − 3 = 2 kg
Answer: Arjun's bag is heavier by 2 kg.
Key Points to Remember
- To compare weights, measure both objects in the same unit (both in kg or both in g).
- The object with the bigger number is heavier.
- On a balance, the side that goes down is heavier.
- Subtract to find the difference in weight.
- We use words like heavier, lighter, and same weight.
Practice Problems
- A pumpkin weighs 6 kg and a cabbage weighs 2 kg. Which is heavier? By how much?
- Neha has 3 apples. Each weighs 100 g. What is the total weight?
- On a balance, one side has a 500 g weight and the other side has a book. The balance is level. How heavy is the book?
- Arrange these from heaviest to lightest: a feather (2 g), a coin (5 g), a ball (150 g).
- Aditi's bag weighs 4 kg. She takes out books that weigh 2 kg. How heavy is the bag now?
- A box of sweets weighs 1 kg. Is that 100 g or 1000 g?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do we compare the weight of two objects?
Weigh both objects using a scale or balance. The object with the bigger number (in kg or g) is heavier. Subtract to find the difference.
Q2. What does it mean when a balance is level?
When both sides of a balance are at the same height, both objects weigh the same. They have equal weight.
Q3. What words do we use when comparing weights?
We use heavier, lighter, heaviest, lightest, and same weight when comparing how heavy objects are.
Q4. Can we compare kg and g directly?
No. First convert them to the same unit. For example, convert 1 kg to 1000 g, then compare with the other weight in grams.
Q5. How do I find how much heavier one thing is?
Subtract the lighter weight from the heavier weight. The answer is how much heavier. Example: 5 kg minus 3 kg = 2 kg heavier.
Q6. What is the heaviest thing a Class 2 child might weigh?
A Class 2 child might weigh between 18 kg and 25 kg. A school bag usually weighs about 3 to 5 kg.
