Near and Far
Near and far are words we use to talk about distance. Something that is near is close to you. Something that is far is a long way from you.
In Class 1, children learn to compare how close or far away objects and places are. This helps them understand the idea of distance before they learn to measure it with numbers.
What is Near and Far - Class 1 Maths (Measurement (Grade 1))?
Near means close — not much distance between two things. Far means a long way away — there is a lot of distance between two things.
Key words:
- Nearer / Closer — comparing two things to find which is closer
- Farther / Further — comparing two things to find which is more distant
- Nearest / Farthest — comparing three or more things
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Near or Far?
Question: Is your desk near to you or far from you when you sit on your chair?
Answer: Your desk is near to you.
Example 2: Example 2: Compare Two Places
Question: Ria's school is 2 streets away. Her grandmother's house is in another city. Which is nearer?
Answer: Ria's school is nearer.
Example 3: Example 3: Near Things in Class
Question: Aman sits in the first row. The blackboard is near him. The door is at the back. Which is farther from Aman — the blackboard or the door?
Answer: The door is farther from Aman.
Example 4: Example 4: Three Objects
Question: Priya is standing. A tree is very close. A building is a little away. A mountain is very far. Arrange from nearest to farthest.
Answer: Tree (nearest), building, mountain (farthest).
Example 5: Example 5: At the Park
Question: Dev is at the park. A slide is 5 steps away. A swing is 20 steps away. Which is nearer?
Answer: The slide is nearer (5 steps < 20 steps).
Example 6: Example 6: The Sun and Moon
Question: Is the sun nearer to us or the moon?
Answer: The moon is nearer to us. The sun is very far away.
Example 7: Example 7: Going to School
Question: Aditi walks to school. Rahul takes a bus. Whose school is probably farther?
Think:
- Walking is for short distances (near)
- A bus is for longer distances (far)
Answer: Rahul's school is probably farther.
Key Points to Remember
- Near means close. Far means a long way away.
- Use nearer/farther to compare two distances.
- Use nearest/farthest to compare three or more distances.
- We can count steps to find out which place is nearer or farther.
- Walking usually means a place is near. Taking a bus or car means it is far.
Practice Problems
- Is your school near your home or far from it?
- Name something that is near you right now and something that is far.
- The market is 5 minutes away and the airport is 1 hour away. Which is nearer?
- Kavi stands in the playground. The goal post is 10 steps away and the gate is 50 steps away. Which is farther?
- Arrange from nearest to farthest: your nose, the moon, the classroom door.
- Meera says the sun is nearer than the moon. Is she correct?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does near and far mean?
Near means close — there is not much distance. Far means a long way away — there is a lot of distance between you and the object.
Q2. How can I tell if something is near or far?
If you can reach it by stretching your hand, it is very near. If you need to walk, it is a little far. If you need a bus or car, it is very far.
Q3. What is the difference between nearer and nearest?
Nearer is used when comparing two things. Nearest is used when comparing three or more things to find the closest one.
Q4. Can I measure near and far?
Yes! You can count steps, use a ruler, or use a measuring tape. In Class 1, counting steps or hand-spans is the simplest way.
Q5. Is the sun near or far from us?
The sun is very, very far from us. It is about 15 crore kilometres away. That is why it looks so small in the sky even though it is actually very large.
Q6. Why is it useful to know near and far?
Knowing near and far helps you plan trips, find the closest shop, choose the nearest park, and understand maps and directions.
