MEASUREMENT

In the olden days people used their bodies to measure distances or length.

The Vikings measured a distance by having a person’s arm fully stretched out, from the
finger tips in one hand to finger tips on the other hand. The unit for this measurement is
called a Fathom.

In other parts of the world they used to measure lengths with their feet.

Activity: We are going to measure the lengths between the tape marks on the ground
and the railing in the playground.

NAME Length of the floor between Length of the railing

tape marks in FEET. between tape marks in
FATHOM.

Questions:

1. Are lengths the same for each person in the group? Why?

2. What problems may have occurred by using this type of measurement?

3. What measurement system do we use now?