An ape index is a measure of the ratio
of a person's arm span relative to their height. A typical ratio is 1.0 People with a ratio greater than 1.0 have a
greater arm span than height. A ratio
less than one indicates a person who is taller than the distance between their
outstretched arms.
While learning about the international
system of measurements used by scientists, students found the ratio for
everyone in the sixth grade class. The data was collected, (in centimeters of
course), charted, and analyzed. Student
ratios fell in the range of .96 to 1.02.
Michael Phelps, world-class swimmer and
winner of 23 Olympic medals, has an index of 1.06. His arm span is 12 cm. longer than his
height.
