The Best Mathematical Unit: The Smoot

The Best Mathematical Unit: The Smoot
Posted on 04/08/2019
kids measuringNon-Standard Unit of Length Measurement

Did you know that the Harvard Bridge, which connects Back Bay in Boston to MIT via Massachusetts Avenue is measured in a non-standard unit called a Smoot? It is named after a MIT student, Oliver Smoot, who laid down while his fellow pledges for the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity marked off the bridge based on his height (67" or 1.7 meters).

The length of the bridge is 364.4 Smoots. Look for these markings the next time you are on the Harvard Bridge.

First graders in Mr. O'Connor's class created a measurement based on the height of first graders, and measured the length of the hallway. Did you know that the hallway is approximately 24 Jordans?

Pictured: Jordan (left) and Dylan (right)
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