Hand Span

Stage: 1 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Harriet tried this problem out:

My hand's not as big as my mum's, so it took more spans to go round the tree. So if I told you how big the tree was, you might think that it was bigger than if my mum told you. So it's better to use a tape measure and use centimetres or something because then we'll all give the same answer.
The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities can be found here.
Copyright © 1997 - 2012. University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.