Ptolemy's Ptools

Sub Culture - "Sub-Ruler"


The Plan:

Get the Software:

If you don't already have the Sub Culture game you can get a FREE download trial version HERE.


Using a Scale Reference of:

Object Size
building width (at the widest point) 20 m (60 ft)
container (narrow side) 2 m (6 ft)

Now you are ready to explore:

1) Start the game. On the LEFT go to the nearby building with the tripod type base. There are some containers on the ground nearby. Hover over those containers and find the building in the screen shot above.(to the RIGHT)

2) Put a piece of paper up to your computer screen and mark (with a soft pencil) the building's width (the red line). At this distance the scale unit you just marked represents 27°.

3) Mark this length on your Sub Ruler. Then you can break this unit into five equal sized parts and estimate that they represent 5° each.


Collecting the Data:

Measure the angle (in degrees) of an object with your Sub Ruler and record it on the data sheet; try the container first as a test - it should come out to about 2 meters or 6ft in "real size"on its narrow side.

Look up the tangent ratio for that angle

Divide the object's known size by the tangent ratio to get the DISTANCE from the object.
OR
Multiply the object'sknown distance by the tangent ratio to get the SIZE of the object (width, height or diameter).

Reporting back to the Home Colony:

Submit your new data and help explore the depths!

How it works; Using the Properties of Triangles


Please let us know what you think of this activity on our
MESSAGE BOARD


Return to the Cyber Projects Page

the HOME PAGE

(last updated 8/31/98 )