Question

A 15 cm scale has one end broken. How would you use it to measure the length of a thread 3.6 cm long? Draw a diagram to explain the same.

Answer 1

To measure 3.6 cm from a broken scale, put the first end of the thread to coincide at any other reading on scale, say the 10 cm mark. Note the point where the other end of the thread coincides with the scale reading, say 13.6 cm.

Length of thread = 13.6 cm $-$ 10 cm
= 3.6 cm