TEN LITTLE FINGERS - Arvind Gupta

LENGTHIf you know the lengths of some common things around you, then you can use them for estimatingthe length of other objects. Things like matchboxes, postcards, coins - which are mass producedconform to certain standard dimensions. The lengths of these and many more objects can be usedfor estimation of length. You must verify the lengths of these objects by actually measuring them witha scale. Later on, even if you do not have a scale at hand, you can always use these objects tomake a good estimate of length.2mm.1. The length of the common matchbox is a goodestimate of 2 inches or 5 centimetres It can beused for estimating length. Half the matchboxwould measure 1 inch, or 2.5 centimetres.2. Every matchstick has a squarecross-section. Each side of thesquare measures 2 mm.3. The length of six matchboxes kept end-to-end would almost be 1 foot, or 30 centimetres.4. The postcard is always 14 cm longand 9 cm broad.5. Bricks are normally 9 inches long,4.5 inches wide and 3 inches thick.6. The length of a normalbicycle spoke isapproximately 1 footor 30 centimetres.7. Coins have standarddimensions. They can be usedas pretty good estimates formeasurement of length. Stack20 similar coins one on top ofthe other and measure theirheight. Divide it by 20 to get thethickness of one coin.8. Measure the length ofyour hand span andremember it. This is oneruler which you will alwaysbe carrying around. Alsomeasure the distancebetween two steps as youwalk. This will be a goodestimate to measure longdistance.