Length

You may see problems on measuring length in the math part of your examination.

Measuring length problems usually involve looking at a drawing or picture and calculating the total length based on the data provided.

In addition, you may see problems asking you to determine the linear scale of the drawing provided.


If you are taking geometry as part of your examination, you will also need to calculate length for shapes like triangles and rectangles.

Now try the problems on measuring length provided below.

Measuring Length, Width & Depth

(1) An online shipping company uses tape to close boxes prior to shipping them.

The tape is placed around all six sides of the box, as shown in the picture below:

length problem picture of a box

The box is eight inches in height, eight inches in depth, and eighteen inches in length.

How many inches of tape are required for the entire box?

A. 52 inches

B. 88 inches

C. 104 inches

D. 112 inches

E. 156 inches

For questions that ask you about boxes or other containers, you will need to consider the length, width, and depth of the box or container in order to get the correct answer.

STEP 1: The tape that is placed around the top, bottom, and ends of the box will be measured as follows:

18 + 8 + 18 + 8 = 52 inches

STEP 2: The tape that is placed on the front, back, and ends of the box will be calculated similarly since the front and back are the same length as the top and bottom.

18 + 8 + 18 + 8 = 52 inches

STEP 3: We add these two results to get the final answer.

52 + 52 = 104 inches

So, the correct answer is C.

Measuring Length − Determining the Scale

(2) A scale diagram of a classroom is shown in the drawing provided below.

scale-drawing-for-length-problem

If the actual length of the room is 24 feet, what is the scale of the diagram?

A. 1 unit = 3 feet

B. 1 unit = 4 feet

C. 1 unit = 5 feet

D. 1 unit = 6 feet

E. 1 unit = 8 feet

STEP 1: Determine the length of the room in units.

We can see that the right-hand side of the room is at the marker for 4 units.

We need to take into account that the drawing of the room is not positioned over the first unit of the marker.

So, the room is 3 units long in the drawing.

STEP 2: Divide the actual length of the room by the units.

24 ÷ 3 = 8

STEP 3: Express the answer in units and feet.

1 unit = 8 feet

So, the correct answer is E.