Gulliver's Worlds: Measuring and Scaling
Students use measurement and estimation to determine the scale factor that
relates the sizes of things in mythical Brobdingnag (taken from Gulliver’s
Travels) to the sizes of things in real life “Ourland.” They then
use clues from Gulliver’s journal to determine the scale factor of objects
that are reduced in size and the effect of rescaling on linear, area and volume
measures. Lastly, they explore scale factors – both integer and non-integer
– that enlarge and that reduce sizes.
NCTM Standard: Geometry
- Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional geometric
shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships
- Specify locations and describe spatial relationships using coordinate
geometry and other representational systems
- Use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve
problems
NCTM Standard: Measurement
- Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and
processes of measurement
- Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements
Primary Mathematical Goals
- Estimate and measure dimensions of objects in US Customary, metric, and
non-standard units
- Select appropriate units of measurement
- Use estimation and scale factor to rescale objects
- Create and interpret scale drawings
- Solve problems in one, two, and three dimensions
- Determine scale factor
