Lesson 1: Perimeter and Circumference - Linear Measurement for Luggage

   Constructing Knowledge

Another linear measurement is specific to the airline industry. The storage capacity and weight limits involved in flying require airlines to limit both the weight and size of luggage a person brings in the cabin (carry-on) and in the belly of the plane (checked). As a person checks in their luggage, it is put on a scale, and, if necessary, the linear measurement is taken to ensure the size meets requirements. For major airlines in Canada, the standard maximum linear measurement is 62 inches or 158 cm.

The linear measurement, for the airline's purposes of checking the size of a piece of luggage is the sum of the height, length, and width of the suitcase.

   Multimedia

A video describing linear measurement is provided.


EXAMPLE 1

A suitcase has the dimensions of 74 cm by 44 cm by 25 cm. What is the linear measurement of this piece of luggage?

Solution


linear measurement = length + width + height
= 44 cm + 25 cm + 74 cm
= 143 cm

The linear measurment of the suitcase is 143 cm.

EXAMPLE 2

Eleni is buying a suitcase to take on a trip to England. She is flying with an airline whose maximum allowable linear measurement for a single peice of luggage is 158 cm. Any piece of luggage over this size is considered oversize and is charged a fee of $200.00. She sees a suitcase whose measurements are 30 inches by 21 inches by 11 inches. Can Eleni use this suitcase if she does not want to get charged the oversize luggage fee?

Solution


In order to compare the allowable linear measurement from the airline to the linear measurement of the suitcase unit conversions need to be made. It does not matter whether the airline's standard units (centimetres) or suitcase's dimensions (inches) are used in the final answer.

Step 1: Find the linear measurement of the suitcase.

linear measurement = length + width + height
= 30 in + 21 in + 11 in
= 62 in

Step 2: Convert the inches to centimetres

2.54 cm = 1 inch

\(\begin{align} \frac{y}{62\,\text{in}}&=\frac{2.54\,\text{cm}}{1\,\text{in}} \\ \\ \frac{y}{\cancel{62\,\text{in}}}\times {\color{red}{\cancel{62\,\text{in}}}}&=\frac{2.54\,\text{cm}}{1\cancel{\text{in}}}\times {\color{red}{62\cancel{\text{in}}}} \\ \\ y&=157.5\,\text{cm} \end{align}\)

Eleni can buy this suitcase as its linear measurement of 157.5 cm is just under the maximum of 158 cm.


Now, it is your turn! Complete the questions in your Chapter 7, Lesson 1 Practice Makes Perfect that refer to Linear Measurement for Luggage.



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