Measuring Length

Done by: Graeme Smit, Muhammad Abbas Qasim, Yazdi and Payman

Introduction

This is a brief overview of the history of measuring length and how it is being used, outlining some of the more important and interesting aspects.

Measurement has been important ever since man settled from his nomadic lifestyle and started using building materials; occupying land and trading with his neighbors. As society has become more technologically orientated much higher accuracies of measurement are required in an increasingly diverse set of fields, from micro-electronics to interplanetary ranging.

Si UnitsThe unit for measuring length

globally recognized is:

Meters=m

History of measuring lengthUnits of measurement were among the earliest tools invented by humans. Our present knowledge of early weights and measures comes from many sources.

One of the oldest units of length measurement used in the ancient world was the 'cubit' which was the length of the arm from the tip of the finger to the elbow. This could then be subdivided into shorter units like the foot, hand (which at 4 inches is still used today for expressing the height of horses) or finger, or added together to make longer units like the stride. The cubit could vary considerably due to the different sizes of people.

The cubit(finger tip to elbow)

In this part of the world the Metric system is used.

1 millimeter = 0.001 meter 1 centimeter = 0.01 meter 1 decimeter = 0.1 meter 1 kilometer = 1000 meters

For reference, 1 meter is a little longer than 1 yard or 3 feet. It is about half the height of a very tall adult. A centimeter is nearly the diameter of a dime, a little less than half an inch. A millimeter is about the thickness of a dime.

Modern day unites of length

Instruments for measuring length Vernier caliper Micrometer Ruler Tape measure

Using length we can even find the area.It is a simple formula called lxb. Length x width.For example we measured the length and width of our school, these were the measurements we got.

Length=170metresWidth = 70 metresUsing the information and the formula above can you calculate the area of your school?

Things possible with length.

Fun facts! The end of your thumb to your

first joint is about 1 inch long. An egg carton is about a foot

long. Distances between cities are

measured in kilometer .

Thanks you for watching!