What is Narrowest (Width)?

S0-SA2-0823

Grade Level:

Pre-School – Class 2

All domains without exception

Definition

What is it?

When we talk about 'narrowest' for width, we are looking for the object or path that has the smallest distance from one side to the other. It means the thinnest or most constricted part compared to others.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have three roads in your neighbourhood. One road is wide enough for two cars to pass easily, another is just wide enough for one car, and the third is so thin only a cycle can go through. The cycle path is the narrowest among them.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the narrowest among these objects based on their width:

Step 1: Look at a mobile phone charger cable. Its width is about 0.5 cm.
---Step 2: Look at a school notebook. Its width is about 15 cm.
---Step 3: Look at a pen. Its width is about 1 cm.
---Step 4: Look at a matchstick. Its width is about 0.2 cm.
---Step 5: Compare all the widths: 0.5 cm, 15 cm, 1 cm, 0.2 cm.
---Step 6: The smallest number among these is 0.2 cm.
---Answer: The matchstick is the narrowest.

Why It Matters

Understanding 'narrowest' helps us compare sizes and make practical decisions in everyday life. Engineers use this concept to design safe bridges and roads, while architects use it to plan spaces efficiently. Even fashion designers consider width when creating clothes.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Confusing narrowest with shortest (length) or lightest (weight). | CORRECTION: Remember, 'narrowest' specifically refers to width, which is the side-to-side measurement, not how long or heavy something is.

MISTAKE: Not comparing all items before deciding which is narrowest. | CORRECTION: Always compare the widths of ALL given objects to correctly identify the one with the smallest width.

MISTAKE: Thinking a long object is automatically wide. | CORRECTION: Length and width are different measurements. An object can be very long but still very narrow, like a piece of thread.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Which of these usually has the narrowest width? A cricket bat, a pencil, or a car? | ANSWER: A pencil

QUESTION: You have three lanes: Lane A is 3 meters wide, Lane B is 2.5 meters wide, and Lane C is 4 meters wide. Which lane is the narrowest? | ANSWER: Lane B

QUESTION: A tailor is choosing ribbon for a dress. Ribbon P is 1.5 cm wide, Ribbon Q is 1.0 cm wide, and Ribbon R is 2.0 cm wide. If the design needs the narrowest ribbon, which one should the tailor pick? Explain why. | ANSWER: Ribbon Q. Because 1.0 cm is the smallest width among 1.5 cm, 1.0 cm, and 2.0 cm.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which object is likely to be the narrowest?

A highway

A railway track

A footbridge

A bicycle path

The Correct Answer Is:

A bicycle path is designed for cycles and is typically much narrower than a highway, a railway track, or even a footbridge which allows for multiple people.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

In Indian cities, 'narrowest' is very important for traffic planning. Auto-rickshaws and bikes are often preferred in crowded areas because they can navigate through narrow lanes (gullies) where bigger cars might get stuck. This helps in faster deliveries by services like Swiggy or Zomato in congested areas.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

WIDTH: The measurement from one side to the other | NARROW: Having a small width | COMPARE: To check how things are similar or different | MEASUREMENT: The size or amount of something

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding 'narrowest'! Next, you can explore 'widest', which is the opposite concept. After that, you'll be ready to compare other measurements like length and height!