Extension

Lookout for Giant Pencils

Using your regular school pencil and a ruler, measure
each part in centimeters. Be as accurate as possible.
                           normal        10x
                           length width  length width
eraser                 _____ _____ _____ _____
metal rim             _____ _____ _____ _____
wooden shaft      _____ _____ _____ _____
exposed tip         ____ ____ ____ ____
Now you are going to figure out what size the pencil would be if it were
10 times larger. To do this multiply the first measurement above for each
part by 10.
Now do the same but 40x.
                           normal        40x
                           length width  length width
eraser                 _____ _____ _____ _____
metal rim             _____ _____ _____ _____
wooden shaft      _____ _____ _____ _____
exposed tip         _____ _____ _____ _____
Once you have your measurements, you are ready to construct your giant
pencils.
Collect the materials needed (scissors, paper, tape)
Carefully measure and draw the new measurements for the pencil onto
paper.
Cut out and assemble the pencils.
Compare the pencils in your group with others. Are you surprised by
their size?
What do you think a pencil 100 times larger than normal would look
like?