Page 7 - Science Class 6 Times Publication

5. Measurement plays crucial role in scienti c experiment,
discoveries, invention, etc .
Traditional systems of measurement

Different kinds of measurement are in existence since the ancient
time. In the past, people had their own ways to measure physical

quantities. For example, footstep, arm, hand span, ngers, etc were
used to measure length. Similarly, the position of the sun, moon and
stars in the sky were used to measure time and Mano, Pathi, Dalo,
etc were used to measure the amount of food grains. The Mano, Pathi
and Dalo are still in use in the remote areas of our country.

Mano Pathi Dalo

Activity 1.2

Divide the class into the groups of ve students each. Then measure

the length of your table (Use separate table for each group) with

arms, hand and nger. Also measure the distance between two walls
of your classrooms using footsteps.

Did all ve members of a group nd same length of the table or the

room ?
The answer is ‘no’. Why is it so ?

The length of arm, hand span, footstep, etc differs from person
to person. Similarly, Mano, Pathi and Dalo can have different
capacities according to the skill of constructors. Hence, such systems
of measurement are not accurate. Such measurements differ
from person to person and place to place. If we use this system of

Times' Crucial Science and Environment 3 Book 6