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Measurement of Length and Motion

Measuring something that curves

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.

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This track

  1. 0 Start here
  2. 1 One length everybody agrees on
  3. 2 Choosing the right unit
  4. 3 Reading a ruler well
  5. 4 Measuring something that curves
  6. 5 Has it moved?
  7. 6 Kinds of motion
  8. 7 The big picture
  9. 8 Track quiz

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