How to find the distance to a distant object? I am showing the simplest rangefinder from one match [my photos]

  • Dec 11, 2020
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Good afternoon, dear guests!

In this article, I will tell you and clearly show how, without intricate devices, to find the distance to an object remote from you using only one match and one mathematical operation.

So, in order to prepare the instrument for work, we need to put a scale on it for convenience. The scale can be absolutely with any step of divisions: 1,2,3,4... 10 mm, the main thing is that it is convenient for you to work with them.

I, however, put several divisions on the match with a step of 2 mm:

Thus, having applied 13 marks, the total length of the ruler on the match was 2.6 cm.

As an example, I'll show you how to determine the distance from my eyes to a car.

So, we stand facing the object and pull the match to the length of an outstretched arm, aligning the upper end of the match with the highest point of the car - with its roof.

Further, holding the match in this position, move the thumbnail along it to the lowest point of the car, to the point where the wheels and the road surface touch:

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We fixed the bottom of the car with our thumb and consider how many millimeters our measurement made:

In my example, match measurement = 14 mm.

Further, there is a proportion for determining the distance:

Where does this ratio come from?

It follows from the calculation of the tangent of the angle, which is equal to the ratio of the opposite leg to the adjacent leg. In graphical form, it looks like this:

The distance from the match to the eyes depends on the length of the arm, on average it is 60 cm, in my case - 61 cm. Also, in order to minimize the calculation error, it is required to roughly understand the height of the object to which the distance is calculated. For convenience, below is a plate of metric parameters:

Therefore, the distance to the car:

Y = (1.5 m * 61 cm) / 14 mm. = (150 cm. * 61 cm) / 1.4 cm. = 6536 cm. ~ 65.4 m.

Done!

In fact, instead of a match, any improvised item can be used, the main thing is that its size is known in advance. Knowing the height of the object, you can apply the appropriate marks.

I hope this method is useful to you!

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