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Lesson 4 of 9

Measuring something that curves

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5 min

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A bangle is curved. A straight ruler cannot bend to fit it.

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A curved bangle.
Step 1 of 4
  1. A curved bangle.
  2. Wrap a thread along the curve. Mark where it ends.
  3. Pull the thread straight.
  4. Lay it against a ruler and read it.

Rule: Lay a thread along the curve. Mark the thread where the curve ends. Straighten the thread. Measure it like any length: far end − near end.

A thread bends, so it can lie along the curve. The near end is the start of the thread. The far end is your mark.

The same method works for a plate's rim or a leaf's edge.

Try the lab to finish this lesson.