Class 5 Exam  >  Class 5 Notes  >  Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT  >  Chapter Notes: Far and Near

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT PDF Download

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

Have you ever wondered how we measure the height of a tree, the length of a ribbon, or the distance to another city? We cannot use the same unit for all these!

In this chapter Far and Near, we will:

  • Discover which unit—mm, cm, m, or km—is best for different measurements.

  • Learn how to change one unit into another.

  • Try fun activities like measuring saris, sprout lengths, and even the tallest statues in the world.

  • Explore how distances are measured in real life—on playgrounds, train journeys, and even in races.

Let’s start with a quick identification

Identify the appropriate units for measuring each of the following.

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

In conclusion, we can say that:

  • Metre (m) is used for larger measurements (e.g., height of India Gate, depth of a well).

  • Centimetre (cm) is used for smaller measurements (e.g., length of a handkerchief, distance between buttons).

  • The appropriate unit is chosen based on the size of the object or distance.

Different Units but Same Measure

We often use different units (like centimetres and metres) to measure the same length.

1 metre (m) = 100 centimetres (cm).

Let’s Understand with a Story

Riya and Aman were playing in their garden. Riya had a rope that was 200 cm longFar and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

Aman said, “200 cm sounds too big! Can we say it in metres instead?”

Riya thought for a while. She remembered what her teacher had said:
Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

So she quickly divided 200 by 100.

“Look, Aman! 200 cm is the same as 2 metres.”

Just then, Aman brought another rope of 500 cm.

He asked, “How long is this in metres?”

Riya smiled, “That’s easy! 500 ÷ 100 = 5 metres.”

Both ropes together measured 7 metres in total!

Now, let’s connect centimetres and metres on a number line to clearly see how the conversion works.Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

Let Us Compare

We can compare two or more lengths using the symbols < (less than), > (greater than), or = (equal to).

General Rules:

  • Convert units to the same form before comparing.: (Either convert everything to cm or everything to m).

  • Use 1 m = 100 cm to change units.

  • Simplify the numbers by adding or converting if required.

  • Compare the values directly using <, >, or =.

Remember:

  • 1 m = 100 cm

  • If numbers are equal → use =

  • If one is bigger → use > or < accordingly.

Examples:

(a) 456 cm ____ 5 m

  • Convert 5 m = 500 cm.

  • Compare: 456 cm < 500 cm.

(b) 55 cm + 200 cm ____ 200 cm + 54 cm

  • Left side = 255 cm, Right side = 254 cm.

  • Compare: 255 cm > 254 cm.

Measuring Long Distances

For very long distances, we use special tools and units. We often use kilometre (km) for long distances.
Here are some ways to measure long distances:
 Long Tape: A very long measuring tape.

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

 Rangefinder: A device that measures distance to a target.

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

 Laser Distance Meter: Uses a laser to measure distance.

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

 Rodometer (measuring wheel): A wheel that measures distance as it rolls.

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

Question for Chapter Notes: Far and Near
Try yourself:
What unit do we often use for long distances?
View Solution

Let Us Explore

  • When we walk 1,000 metres, we say we have walked 1 kilometre (1 km).Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

  • The prefix ‘kilo’ means thousand.

  • Kilometres are used to measure long distances like:

    1. Distance between two cities

    2. Length of a road

    3. Distance travelled in a vehicle

Let’s practice some examples

1. Convert kilometres to metres

  • 3 km = 3 × 1000 m = 3000 m

  • 7 km = 7 × 1000 m = 7000 m

2. Convert metres to kilometres

  • 5000 m = 5000 ÷ 1000 = 5 km

  • 2300 m = 2300 ÷ 1000 = 2 km 300 m

The World of Small Things

  • Some objects, like sprouts, small screws, and nails, are very small in size.Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

  • To measure such small things, we use the smaller marks on a scale (ruler).

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

  • We use a smaller unit called millimetre (mm).
  • Between 1 cm and 2 cm on a scale, there are 10 equal small divisions.

  • Each small division is called 1 millimetre (mm).Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

  • These smaller marks allow us to measure lengths more precisely.

Relationships between Different Units

Let's summarise the relationships between different units of length:
 10 mm = 1 cm (Millimetre to Centimetre)
 100 cm = 1 m (Centimetre to Metre)
 1,000 m = 1 km (Metre to Kilometre)Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

Question for Chapter Notes: Far and Near
Try yourself:
How many millimeters are in one centimeter?
View Solution

Adding and Subtracting Lengths

We can add and subtract lengths just like we add and subtract numbers. We need to be careful with units.

1. Adding Lengths

Example 1: Saji walked 3 km 450 m in the morning and 4 km 650 m in the evening. How much did he walk in total?Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

Let's take a look at both the methods 

Method 1: Adding km and m separately

  • Add kilometres: 3 km + 4 km 
    = 7 km.
  • Add metres: 450 m + 650 m 
    = 1100 m.
  • Convert 1100 m to km and m 
    = 1000 m + 100 m 
    = 1 km 100 m.
  • Add the converted metres to kilometres
    7 km + 1 km 100 m 
    = 8 km 100 m.

Method 2: Convert everything to metres and then add

  • Convert 3 km  450 m 
    = 3 x 1000 m + 450 m 
    = 3000 m + 450 m 
    = 3450 m.
  • Convert 4 km 650 m 
    = 4 x 1000 m + 650 m 
    = 4000 m + 650 m 
    = 4650 m.
  • Total distance = 3450 m + 4650 m = 8100 m.
  • Convert 8100 m to km and m
    = 8000 m + 100 m 
    = 8 km 100 m.

2. Subtracting Lengths

Example 2: Electricians are changing the cables in a house. They need 63m of cable for this purpose. They used 16m 75cm cable in the first room. What is the length of the cable left?

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

Let's take a look at both the methods 

Electricians need 63 m of cable. They used 16 m 75 cm in the first room. 

Method 1: Convert everything to cm and then subtract

  • Total cable needed: 63 m 
    = 63 x 100 cm 
    = 6300 cm.
  • Cable used: 16 m 75 cm 
    = 16 x 100 cm + 75 cm 
    = 1600 cm + 75 cm 
    = 1675 cm.
  • Cable left 
    = 6300 cm - 1675 cm 
    = 4625 cm.
  • Convert 4625 cm to m and cm
    = 4600 cm + 25 cm 
    = 46 m 25 cm.

Method 2: Subtracting m and cm separately (with borrowing)

Step 1: Arrange in Columns

Step 2: Notice the Borrowing

  • We cannot directly subtract 75 from 00 cm.

  • So, we borrow 1 metre (m) = 100 cm.

Now, 63 m becomes 62 m, and centimetres become 200 cm (100 already + borrowed 100).

Step 3: Subtract Normally

  • Centimetres: 200 - 75 = 125 cm

  • Metres: 62 - 16 = 46 m

Step 4: Convert if Needed

Since 100 cm = 1 m,
125 cm = 1 m 25 cm

So,
46 m 125 cm = 46 m 25 cm

Multiplying and Dividing Lengths

We can also multiply and divide lengths to find total or equal parts.

  • Multiplying lengths helps when the same length is used many times, like cloth for several shirts or ribbon pieces.Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

  • Dividing lengths helps when we need to share a length into equal parts, like cutting a rope into equal pieces.

1. Multiplying Lengths

Example 1: We need a 1 m 80 cm cloth to make a shirt for a 10-year-old child. How much cloth will be needed to make shirts for 20 such children?

Given:

  • Cloth for 1 child’s shirt = 1 m 80 cm

  • For 20 children, we multiply.

Let's take a look at the methods to solve

Method 1: Break and Multiply 

Step 1: Break into metres and centimetres.

  • 1 m 80 cm = 1 m + 80 cm

Step 2: Multiply separately.

  • 20 × 1 m = 20 m

  • 20 × 80 cm = 1600 cm

Step 3: Convert cm into metres.

  • 1600 cm = 16 m

Step 4: Add together.

  • 20 m + 16 m = 36 m

Method 2: Convert everything to cm and then multiply 

Step 1: Convert to cm:

  • 1 m 80 cm = 100 cm + 80 cm 
    = 180 cm

Step 2: Multiply by 20 shirts:

  • Total cloth = 20 × 180 cm = 3600 cm

Step 3: Convert cm to metres:

  • 3600 cm = 36 × 100 cm = 36 m

2. Dividing Lengths

Example 2: A shop sells cloth for making bags at ₹100 for 5 m. How much money is needed to buy a 1 m cloth?Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

If 5 m cloth costs ₹100, then a 1 m cloth costs 100 ÷ 5 = ₹20.

  • A shop sells cloth for ₹100 for 5 m. How much money is needed to buy 1 m cloth?
  • Cost of 5 m cloth = ₹100.
  • Cost of 1 m cloth = ₹100 ÷ 5 Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT
  • Therefore, the cost of 1m of cloth is 20m 

Question for Chapter Notes: Far and Near
Try yourself:
How much cloth is needed for 20 children if one shirt requires 1 m 80 cm?
View Solution

Let Us Estimate

  • Estimating means making a good guess about a measurement without actually measuring it. 
  • We use things we already know as a reference.

Let's understand this with the help of an example:

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

Height of a single-storeyed house: You can estimate it to be around 3-4 metres.

Height of an electric pole: You can estimate it to be around 8-10 metres.

Practice Questions

Tallest building in your neighbourhood

  • If one floor ≈ 3 metres, then a 5-storey building ≈ 15 metres.

  • Reference: single-storeyed house.

Tallest tree in your neighbourhood

  • Compare with electric pole (about 8–10 m).

  • If tree is a little taller, estimate ≈ 12–15 metres.

Quick Tip: Always compare with something you already know (like your own height or a nearby house) to estimate correctly.

Let Us Explore (Feet and Inches)

In daily life, we also use other units for measuring length, especially for height. These are feet (ft) and inches (in).
Look at your ruler. Some rulers also have inches marked on them.

Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

 1 inch = approximately 2 cm 5 mm (or 2.5 cm)
 1 foot = 12 inches
 1 foot = approximately 30 cm
The document Far and Near Chapter Notes | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT is a part of the Class 5 Course Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT.
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FAQs on Far and Near Chapter Notes - Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT

1. What are different units used to measure lengths and distances?
Ans.Length and distance can be measured using various units such as millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), meters (m), and kilometers (km). Each unit represents a different scale of measurement, with millimeters being the smallest common unit and kilometers being used for larger distances.
2. How do we convert between different units of length?
Ans.To convert between different units of length, you can use conversion factors. For example, 1 meter is equal to 100 centimeters and 1 kilometer is equal to 1,000 meters. By multiplying or dividing the length by these conversion factors, you can switch between units easily.
3. Why is it important to measure long distances accurately?
Ans.Accurate measurement of long distances is crucial for various reasons, including navigation, construction, and mapping. It helps in ensuring safety, efficiency, and precision in activities such as traveling, building infrastructure, and conducting scientific research.
4. How do we add and subtract lengths in different units?
Ans.When adding or subtracting lengths in different units, you first need to convert them to the same unit. For example, if you have 2 meters and 150 centimeters, convert 150 cm to meters (which is 1.5 m) and then add: 2 m + 1.5 m = 3.5 m.
5. What are some practical examples of measuring small things and their significance?
Ans.Measuring small things, such as in millimeters or centimeters, is important in fields like engineering, biology, and manufacturing. For instance, in engineering, precise measurements can impact the functionality of machinery, while in biology, measuring cells and microorganisms accurately is essential for research and experiments.
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