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Why didn't ancient people use rulers and measuring devices instead of body parts?
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Before one can invent a measuring device, one has to agree on how much, how long, or how wide a measured thing is. Body parts are a portable way to measure an item. After all, you still have your hand if you lose the ruler. If all you have is your body and the clothes on it, how do you figure out how long a meter is? Or how long a length of cloth is? If you need three feet of material, how easy is it to simply walk three feet? For most purposes, a rough estimate of the size, shape, weight, or length of an object is sufficient. However, for more precise measurements, there were measuring instruments. A "rod" was about 6 feet long, a "cubit" was the average length of 18 inches, and plumb lines were used to determine the straightness of buildings. Older people in today's time still use body parts to determine rough measurements. Watch an older lady who sews. She will hold up a length of material and "measure" it against her body. Actually, this measurement is roughly a meter, the length needed for the pattern she is using. The average adult hand is roughly 6" long..measure your hand and see...and this measurement is good for comparison on items which should be about a foot long. Precise measurement is not generally needed for most items, unless the item needs to fit exactly into or onto another item. Measurement gives us a visual and mental "picture" of how the world looks.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
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How did Ancient Romans measure distances?
they measured their distances in paces or as you would say (miles)
What use for measurement tools ancient people?
they wre using hand span, cubit, ect for measuring
What were ciceros ideas for ancient rome?
that rome should be governed by a ruler that did what was best for Rome instead of what the people wanted.
What economical advancements did ancient Egypt have?
Ancient Egypt had many advancements. They used money instead of trade. They also allowed for people to own land or have large farm managers.
What do modern people call the ancient Greek language?
Modern people call the language of ancient Greece Ancient Greek.
What measuring devices did old people used?
The same ones that young people used.
Give 10 devices or measuring devices use by early people?
stones marbles sticks fingers toes strokes people cups spoons forks ================================================ The sundial, which measures time, is the world's oldest scientific instrument.
How did Ancient Romans measure distances?
they measured their distances in paces or as you would say (miles)
When people say the horse is 15 hands high do they mean human hands?
Yes. The origin of measuring a horse this way is very old, but easy to understand. In days long ago people did not have the common measuring devices (like tape measures, etc.) that we do today. To measure a horse, they used their hands. Somewhere along the way, the measuring unit of a hand was standardized to mean four inches. Though the origins are ancient, a hand is still the unit of measurement for horses that modern horse owners use today.
What use for measurement tools ancient people?
they wre using hand span, cubit, ect for measuring
In Ancient Egypt extra food freed some people to work as what instead of farmers?
Builders
How old is alchemy?
Now a day, people study chemistry instead and alchemy was the ancient science as we know it.
Why do you measure using standard units instead of measuring with and kind of units?
So that when you discuss the measurement with other people,they'll know what you're talking about.
What were ciceros ideas for ancient rome?
that rome should be governed by a ruler that did what was best for Rome instead of what the people wanted.
What economical advancements did ancient Egypt have?
Ancient Egypt had many advancements. They used money instead of trade. They also allowed for people to own land or have large farm managers.
What do tailor's use?
What tools would the tailors use in colonial times? They would use scissors, needle and thread and measuring devices, such as rulers, measuring tapes, etc. .
How many people work in the measuring and control devices industry?
Although industry employment remained steady during the 1980s--at about 37,000 workers--increased automation and the movement of some manufacturing activities overseas
