Maths in pictures: Measurement

• Use the following images and questions to explore scale and ratio found in everyday life.

• What other things can you find to compare in size around your classroom, school or outdoor grounds?

• Challenge yourself to find the biggest and smallest versions of the same type of item and work out the scale or find out the ratio of children to teachers!

Here is a model of The Gherkin, at a scale of 1:50. The real building is 180m tall. How tall is this model?

© Laura W

ard

This recipe makes 20 gingerbread men. How much flour would you need for 50 gingerbread men? How much would you need for 60?

Ingredients:

125g butter

125g caster sugar

125g self raising flour

2tsp ground ginger

1tbsp beaten egg

Method:Cream the butter and sugar together. Stir in the egg and sieved flour and ginger and mix well. Roll out the dough and cut out the gingerbread men. Cook for 45 minutes at 140˚C/gas mark 1.

Do you think the large apple is scaled up by 2:1, 5:1 or 10:1? How could you find out?

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Approximately, how high do you think the tallest part of this wall is? What else can you see in the photo that might help you to find out?

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Acknowledgements

• Words © Laura Ward• Editor: Michelle Guy