What is Shrinking?

S0-SA2-0924

Grade Level:

Pre-School – Class 2

All domains without exception

Definition

What is it?

Shrinking means to become smaller in size, amount, or quantity. When something shrinks, its original form or value reduces, making it less than what it was before.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have a new school uniform that is a bit loose. After your mom washes it in hot water, it might become tighter. This is because the fabric has shrunk, meaning it became smaller.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say a mobile phone's battery charge is 100%. --- You use the phone to watch videos and play games. --- After 2 hours, the battery charge drops to 30%. --- The battery charge has shrunk from 100% to 30%. --- The amount it shrunk by is 100% - 30% = 70%. --- So, the battery charge shrunk by 70%.

Why It Matters

Understanding shrinking is important in science, like when materials change with temperature, or in economics, when prices or profits decrease. Engineers need to consider shrinking when designing structures, and even doctors observe shrinking of tumors. It helps us predict changes and solve problems in many fields.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Confusing shrinking with growing. | CORRECTION: Shrinking always means getting smaller, while growing means getting bigger.

MISTAKE: Thinking shrinking only applies to physical objects. | CORRECTION: Shrinking can also apply to numbers, amounts, or values, like a company's profits shrinking.

MISTAKE: Not understanding what causes shrinking. | CORRECTION: Shrinking can be caused by many things like heat, cold, evaporation, or reduction in quantity.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: A piece of cloth was 10 cm long. After washing, it became 8 cm long. By how much did it shrink? | ANSWER: 2 cm

QUESTION: The price of a packet of biscuits was Rs. 20. During a sale, its price shrunk by Rs. 5. What is the new price of the biscuits? | ANSWER: Rs. 15

QUESTION: A water tank had 500 litres of water. Due to a small leak, 20% of the water shrunk overnight. How many litres of water are left in the tank? | ANSWER: 400 litres

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these is an example of shrinking?

A plant growing taller

A balloon getting bigger when filled with air

A block of ice melting into a smaller puddle of water

A child gaining weight

The Correct Answer Is:

Option C shows the ice block reducing in size and volume as it melts, which is a form of shrinking. The other options describe things getting larger or increasing.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

In daily life, we see shrinking when clothes become tighter after washing, or when a dry fruit like a raisin is much smaller than a fresh grape. Even the battery life of your mobile phone shrinks as you use it throughout the day, requiring you to charge it again.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

REDUCE: to make something smaller or less | DECREASE: to become smaller or fewer in amount or value | CONTRACT: to become smaller in size by drawing together | DIMINISH: to make or become less | RECEDE: to move back or further away from a previous position

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand shrinking, you can explore the opposite concept: 'What is Growing?'. This will help you understand how things increase in size or amount, building on your knowledge of change.