MEASUREMENTS 1 1 



METHODS OF DETERMINING DISTANCES 



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Estimating. Estimating is the approximate determination 

 of distance between two points and is made by visual inspec- 

 tion. Frequently it is possible to see some known object 

 by which comparison can be made. Experience in using 

 an object of known dimensions for estimating distance may 

 be acquired and give fairly accurate results. 



Distances may be estimated by the time of walking, 

 riding, driving, or rowing between points within fairly close 

 limits. The success of these methods depends upon the 

 uniformity of the rate at which the traveling is done and 

 upon frequent checking of the rate of movement over a 

 known distance. Skilled oarsmen can acquire great accuracy 

 in rowing a boat a given distance in a given time. 



Pacing. Pacing is the method of determining distance by 

 keeping count of the number of steps taken. Considerable 

 skill may be developed in pacing if one gives some atten- 

 tion to it and frequently checks the pace over a known 

 distance. The term pace indicates the distance covered by 

 the individual stride of a person. In military organizations 

 the pace is fixed at 30 inches, but in civil life it has no definite 

 length and is whatever distance the person using it naturally 

 covers at one stride. Consequently, where the pace is used, 

 the equivalent in feet should be definitely stated. When 

 one is going uphill, the pace will be shortened somewhat, 

 and downhill it will be lengthened. Either one or both feet 

 may be counted as they strike the ground. A natural 

 stride should be taken, as more correct results are obtained 

 when no mental effort is being spent on the length of stride. 

 In riding or driving the pacing method can be used by means 

 of counting the steps of either the fore or hind feet of the 

 horse. As a rule, the horse steps more uniformly than a 

 man. The pace should always be stated in feet. The 

 number of paces in a given number of feet may be deter- 

 mined by measurement of a given distance after it has been 

 paced. « 



