MAT1793-ABED_1: Referents - Getting Into It

Getting into It

Here is what you will need for the following investigation:

bathroom tissue (toilet paper)
a partner to help you

Task 1: Arm Span vs Height

Using a roll of bathroom tissue (yes, that's right...toilet paper) you will measure your arm span and your height.

A person's arm span is the distance from finger tip to finger tip, while arms are stretched to the sides. Grasp the end of the roll between your finger and thumb and then stretch your arms to the sides. Rip the length of toilet paper you have created and keep it for comparison purposes.
Stand with your back against a wall and tape your strip of toilet paper to the wall so that one end is at the top of your head. Unroll the toilet paper until it reaches the floor, and then rip it off.

Compare the two lengths of toilet paper. Are they the same? Is one longer than the other?

For some people, their arm span and height are exactly the same, but for most people, the two are very close to the same, but not identical.

Task 2: Foot vs Forearm length

Using a roll of bathroom tissue you will measure your foot and forearm length.

Using the bathroom tissue, measure from the end of your big toe to your heel and then rip it off.
Measure a length of bathroom tissue along the inside of your forearm and then rip it off..

Compare the two lengths of toilet paper. Are they the same? Is one longer than the other?

Your foot is likely about the same length as your forearm. If you are flexible, try putting your foot up against your forearm to see whether it fits.

Points to Ponder

In this activity, you did not use a standard measuring device (such as a tape measure) and thus the unit of measurement was also non-standard.

You may have discovered that you are 20 toilet paper squares tall. You may also have discovered that your height and arm span are nearly the same. As such, either 20 toilet paper squares or your arm span can act as a referent for your height.

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