Complete Practice Answers for Mass and Weight Problems in Grade 3 Mathematics

Comprehensive practice answers with detailed solutions, step-by-step explanations, and comprehensive review of measurement concepts.

Practice Answers Overview: Mass vs Weight
MASS AND WEIGHT PRACTICE ANSWERS
Core Concepts and Definitions

Mass: How much matter is in something. We measure mass in grams (g) and kilograms (kg). Mass stays the same everywhere.

Weight: How heavy something feels because of gravity. Weight can change depending on where you are (on Earth vs Moon).

Kilogram (kg): Big unit for heavy things like people, bags, furniture.

Gram (g): Small unit for light things like paper, pencils, small toys.

Relationship: 1 kilogram = 1000 grams

1 kg = 1000 g
Unit Relationship
Light Objects
grams (g)
Pencils, books, apples
Heavy Objects
kilograms (kg)
People, bags, furniture
Conversion
1 kg = 1000 g
Always the same
Step-by-Step Methodology:
  1. Look at the object: Is it light or heavy?
  2. Choose the right unit: Grams for light things, kilograms for heavy things
  3. Estimate: Think about similar objects you know
  4. Measure: Use scales to find exact mass
  5. Compare: Put objects in order from lightest to heaviest
Tip 1: A paperclip weighs about 1 gram.
Tip 2: A liter of water weighs 1 kilogram.
Tip 3: Your backpack might weigh 2-3 kg.
Tip 4: Always check if units match when comparing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Mixing up grams and kilograms without converting

• Forgetting that 1 kg = 1000 g

• Not converting to the same unit before comparing

• Estimating too far off from actual values

• Dividing instead of multiplying (or vice versa) when converting

Practice Answers: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Comparing Masses
Exercise 1
Sarah has an apple that weighs 150 g and a banana that weighs 0.2 kg. Which fruit is heavier?
Key Concepts:

Unit Conversion: Before comparing, both measurements must use the same unit.

Solution Steps:
  1. Convert both measurements to the same unit (grams or kilograms)
  2. Compare the numbers
  3. State which is heavier
Apple
150 g
Banana
0.2 kg
Converted
200 g
Step 1: Convert to same unit

Banana: 0.2 kg = 0.2 × 1000 = 200 g

Step 2: Compare values

Apple: 150 g, Banana: 200 g

Step 3: Determine heavier

200 g > 150 g, so the banana is heavier

Banana (200 g) > Apple (150 g)
ANSWER:

The banana weighing 0.2 kg (200 g) is heavier than the apple weighing 150 g.

Important Rules:

• Always convert to the same unit before comparing

• 1 kg = 1000 g

• Larger number means heavier object

2 Adding Masses
Exercise 2
Tom bought 2 kg of rice, 500 g of sugar, and 1.5 kg of flour. What is the total mass of his groceries?
Key Concepts:

Total Mass: When adding masses, all units must be the same before addition.

Rice
2 kg
Sugar
500 g
Flour
1.5 kg
Step 1: Convert to same unit (kg)

Sugar: 500 g = 500 ÷ 1000 = 0.5 kg

Step 2: Add all masses

Total = 2 kg + 0.5 kg + 1.5 kg = 4 kg

Step 3: Verify calculation

2 + 0.5 + 1.5 = 4 kg ✓

Total mass = 4 kg
ANSWER:

The total mass of Tom's groceries is 4 kilograms.

Applied Rules:

• Convert all units to same measurement before adding

• 1000 g = 1 kg

• Addition: combine all values after conversion

3 Unit Conversion
Exercise 3
Convert: (a) 3.5 kg to grams, (b) 7500 g to kilograms.
Key Concepts:

Conversion Rules: To convert kg to g, multiply by 1000. To convert g to kg, divide by 1000.

Part A
3.5 × 1000
Part B
7500 ÷ 1000
Results
3500 g & 7.5 kg
Step 1: Convert 3.5 kg to grams

3.5 kg × 1000 = 3500 g

Step 2: Convert 7500 g to kg

7500 g ÷ 1000 = 7.5 kg

Step 3: Verify conversions

3500 g ÷ 1000 = 3.5 kg ✓

7.5 kg × 1000 = 7500 g ✓

(a) 3.5 kg = 3500 g, (b) 7500 g = 7.5 kg
ANSWERS:

(a) 3.5 kg = 3500 g, (b) 7500 g = 7.5 kg

Conversion Rules:

• To convert kg to g: multiply by 1000

• To convert g to kg: divide by 1000

• Always check your work by reversing the operation

Practice Answers: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Ordering by Mass
Exercise 4
Order these items from lightest to heaviest: pencil (10 g), textbook (1.2 kg), eraser (5 g), notebook (300 g).
Key Concepts:

Ordering: Convert all measurements to the same unit, then arrange from smallest to largest number.

Convert all to g
Textbook: 1200 g
List values
5g, 10g, 300g, 1200g
Order
Eraser, Pencil, Notebook, Textbook
Step 1: Convert textbook to grams

1.2 kg = 1.2 × 1000 = 1200 g

Step 2: List all values in grams

Eraser: 5 g, Pencil: 10 g, Notebook: 300 g, Textbook: 1200 g

Step 3: Order from lightest to heaviest

5 g < 10 g < 300 g < 1200 g

Lightest to Heaviest: Eraser, Pencil, Notebook, Textbook
ANSWER:

From lightest to heaviest: eraser (5 g), pencil (10 g), notebook (300 g), textbook (1.2 kg).

Applied Rules:

• Convert all measurements to the same unit

• Arrange numbers in ascending order

• Match ordered numbers back to original items

5 Balance Scale Problem
Exercise 5
On a balance scale, 4 identical oranges balance with 1 kg. What is the mass of each orange?
Key Concepts:

Balance Scale: Both sides have equal mass when balanced. To find individual mass, divide total mass by number of items.

Total mass
1 kg
Number of oranges
4
Each orange
250 g
Step 1: Set up the problem

4 oranges = 1 kg

Step 2: Divide total mass by number of items

Mass per orange = 1 kg ÷ 4 = 0.25 kg

Step 3: Convert to grams if needed

0.25 kg = 0.25 × 1000 = 250 g

Step 4: Verify answer

4 × 250 g = 1000 g = 1 kg ✓

Each orange weighs 250 g (or 0.25 kg)
ANSWER:

Each orange has a mass of 250 grams (or 0.25 kilograms).

Applied Rules:

• Balance scale shows equal masses on both sides

• Individual mass = Total mass ÷ Number of items

• 1 kg = 1000 g

Questions & Answers

Question: I don't understand why we need to convert units. Why can't I just compare the numbers directly?

Answer: Think of it like comparing lengths in different units. If I say I'm 5 feet tall and my friend is 60 inches tall, we might think one is taller just by looking at the numbers (5 vs 60). But actually, 5 feet equals 60 inches, so we're the same height!

Similarly with mass: 1 kg and 1000 g represent the same amount of matter. If we compared them just by numbers (1 vs 1000), we'd incorrectly think 1000 g is much bigger. Converting to the same unit ensures accurate comparison.

Example: 2 kg vs 1500 g → Convert 2 kg to 2000 g → Now we can correctly see 2000 g > 1500 g

Question: How can I help my child understand when to use grams versus kilograms?

Answer: Use real-life examples and benchmarks:

  • Grams (g): Use for light objects - a paperclip (1 g), a pencil (10 g), an apple (150 g)
  • Kilograms (kg): Use for heavier objects - a textbook (1 kg), a backpack (2-3 kg), a person (25-50 kg)

Teach them to estimate first: "Is this light like a pencil or heavy like a book?" Then choose the appropriate unit. Practice with household items and kitchen scales to build intuition.

Remember the memory trick: "Kilo" means thousand, so 1 kg = 1000 g. That's why kilograms are for bigger, heavier things!

Question: How do I remember whether to multiply or divide when converting between kg and g?

Answer: Use this simple rule: "Bigger to smaller = Multiply, Smaller to bigger = Divide!"

  • Going from kg (big) to g (small): MULTIPLY by 1000
  • Going from g (small) to kg (big): DIVIDE by 1000

Think of it this way: 1 kg is huge compared to 1 g. So 1 kg needs 1000 g to equal it. That's why 1 kg = 1000 g.

Examples:
• 3 kg to g: 3 × 1000 = 3000 g (multiply because going to smaller unit)
• 4000 g to kg: 4000 ÷ 1000 = 4 kg (divide because going to bigger unit)