The Longest Step Class 2 NCERT: Learning Measurement & Distance

What is Non-Standard Measurement?

Before we had standard tools like plastic rulers and long measuring tapes, people used their own body parts to estimate distances and sizes. These are called non-standard units of measurement. For example, when you walk from your bedroom to the kitchen, you are measuring the distance in 'steps' (or kadam). When you check how wide your notebook is using your thumb and little finger stretched out, you are using your 'handspan'. Because a child has smaller hands and feet than an adult, these measurements change from person to person. That is why we call them non-standard!

Common Body-Part Units We Use

Fingers (Angul)

Using the width of your fingers to measure tiny objects like an eraser or a crayon.

Handspan (Beetlah)

The distance from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your little finger when your hand is stretched wide apart.

Step / Pace (Kadam)

The distance covered in one single stride while walking naturally. Great for measuring floor distances.

Cubit (Haath)

The distance from your elbow to the tip of your middle finger, often used for measuring cloth.

How to Measure Your Study Table Using Handspans

1. Stretch Your Hand — Spread your fingers as wide as possible, stretching your thumb and little finger away from each other.
2. Place the First Point — Put the tip of your thumb at the very left edge of the study table.
3. Mark and Slide — Keep your little finger fixed on the table to mark the first handspan, then bring your thumb to meet that exact spot. Stretch your hand out again.
4. Count the Spans — Repeat this movement across the length of the table. Count how many times you stretched your hand. This total number is your table's length in handspans.

Important Rules of Steps & Measurements

• {"title":"Bigger Body = Longer Step","description":"An adult (like your teacher or parent) will take fewer steps than you to cross the same room because their legs are longer, making their 'step' bigger."}
• {"title":"Animal Steps Differ","description":"A rabbit takes small, quick steps, while an elephant covers a huge distance in just one single giant step. The elephant has the longest step!"}
• {"title":"Need for Standard Tools","description":"Because your handspan and your friend's handspan are not the same, we eventually use standard rulers and measuring tapes so everyone gets the exact same number."}

Tutor Tip for Measuring Right!

When measuring with steps, make sure you walk normally! Do not jump or take extra-wide strides, and do not take baby steps. A normal, steady walking step (kadam) gives the best and most accurate estimation of room distances.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Rohan measures a table and finds it is 10 handspans long. His father measures the same table and finds it is only 6 handspans long. Why did they get different numbers? A: Step 1: Compare the hand sizes of Rohan (a child) and his father (an adult). Step 2: Rohan's hand is smaller, so his handspan covers less distance. Step 3: Rohan needs to place his hand more times to cover the table. Final answer: Rohan's handspan is smaller than his father's, so Rohan got a larger count of 10 handspans while his father got 6.
• Q: A kitten, a dog, and a cow are racing to a tree. Which of these three animals will take the fewest steps to reach the tree? A: Step 1: Compare the physical sizes of the three animals: kitten, dog, and cow. Step 2: Find which animal has the longest legs and biggest body. Step 3: The cow has the longest legs, which means it has the longest step. Final answer: The cow will cover the distance in the fewest steps because it has the longest step.
• Q: If a cricket bat is equal to 5 handspans, and each of your handspans is equal to 3 erasers placed end-to-end, how many erasers long is the cricket bat? A: Step 1: Note that 1 handspan = 3 erasers. Step 2: The cricket bat is 5 handspans long. Step 3: Multiply the number of handspans by the eraser equivalent: 5 times 3. Step 4: 5 x 3 = 15. Final answer: The cricket bat is 15 erasers long.
• Q: You and your friend are measuring the width of the classroom door. You count 8 steps, and your friend counts 9 steps. Who has the longer step? A: Step 1: Observe the step counts. You took 8 steps and your friend took 9 steps for the same distance. Step 2: Taking fewer steps means each step covers more ground. Step 3: Since 8 is less than 9, you covered the distance in fewer steps. Final answer: You have the longer step because you needed fewer steps to cross the same doorway.

Frequently Asked Questions