Length Word Problems (Grade 2)
Length word problems use addition and subtraction to solve questions about how long, how tall, or how far something is. In Class 2, you work with centimetres (cm) and metres (m).
These problems tell a small story and ask you to find a length, height, or distance.
What is Length Word Problems (Grade 2) - Class 2 Maths (Measurement)?
Length is how long or how tall something is. We measure length in:
- Centimetres (cm) — for small things like pencils, books, and erasers
- Metres (m) — for bigger things like rooms, playgrounds, and buildings
1 metre = 100 centimetres
Solved Examples
Example 1: Finding Total Length (Addition)
Question: Ria has a ribbon that is 45 cm long. She joins another ribbon that is 30 cm long. How long is the ribbon now?
Think:
- Total length = 45 + 30
- 45 + 30 = 75
Answer: The ribbon is 75 cm long.
Example 2: Finding the Difference (Subtraction)
Question: Aman's pencil is 18 cm long. Kavi's pencil is 12 cm long. How much longer is Aman's pencil?
Think:
- Difference = 18 − 12 = 6
Answer: Aman's pencil is 6 cm longer.
Example 3: Finding Remaining Length
Question: A rope is 80 cm long. Dev cuts off 35 cm. How long is the remaining rope?
Think:
- Remaining = 80 − 35 = 45
Answer: The remaining rope is 45 cm long.
Example 4: Word Problem with Metres
Question: The classroom is 8 m long. The corridor is 15 m long. How much longer is the corridor than the classroom?
Think:
- Difference = 15 − 8 = 7
Answer: The corridor is 7 m longer.
Example 5: Adding Heights
Question: A table is 75 cm tall. A book placed on it is 3 cm thick. What is the total height from the floor to the top of the book?
Think:
- Total height = 75 + 3 = 78
Answer: The total height is 78 cm.
Example 6: Two-Part Walk
Question: Priya walks 50 m from home to the bus stop. Then she walks 30 m more to her friend's house. How far did she walk in total?
Think:
- Total distance = 50 + 30 = 80
Answer: Priya walked 80 m in total.
Example 7: Comparing Lengths
Question: Neha's skipping rope is 2 m long. Aditi's skipping rope is 150 cm long. Whose rope is longer?
Think:
- 2 m = 200 cm
- 200 cm > 150 cm
Answer: Neha's rope is longer.
Key Points to Remember
- Read the problem carefully. Find the key words: how long, how tall, how much more, how far.
- "How much longer" or "how much more" means subtract.
- "Total length" or "altogether" means add.
- Make sure both lengths are in the same unit (both in cm or both in m) before solving.
- 1 metre = 100 centimetres.
Practice Problems
- A stick is 60 cm long. Another stick is 25 cm long. What is the total length?
- Rahul is 120 cm tall. Dev is 115 cm tall. How much taller is Rahul?
- A wire is 95 cm long. Meera cuts 40 cm. How much wire is left?
- The school gate is 3 m wide. The classroom door is 1 m wide. How much wider is the gate?
- Ria's room is 4 m long and her balcony is 2 m long. What is the total length?
- A thread is 1 m long. Another thread is 55 cm long. Which thread is longer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What units do we use to measure length in Class 2?
We use centimetres (cm) for small objects and metres (m) for bigger objects. 1 metre = 100 centimetres.
Q2. How do I know whether to add or subtract in a length problem?
If the question says 'total', 'altogether', or 'combined', you add. If it says 'how much longer', 'difference', or 'remaining', you subtract.
Q3. What does 'how much longer' mean?
It means find the difference between two lengths. Subtract the shorter length from the longer length.
Q4. Can I add metres and centimetres directly?
No. First convert them to the same unit. Change metres to centimetres (multiply by 100) or centimetres to metres (divide by 100), then add or subtract.
Q5. What tools do we use to measure length?
We use a ruler or scale for small objects (in cm) and a measuring tape or metre stick for bigger objects (in m).
Q6. Is height the same as length?
Height is the length measured from bottom to top. It is measured in the same units — cm or m.
