Why is height an important variable for measuring how far a person has walked? One part of the answer has to do with ratios. On some pedometers, when a person sets the instrument to record an outing they must enter their height into the pedometer to get an accurate reading. In this science activity you'll get to investigate just how much faster or slower different people walk, and see if you can use the relationship between a person's walking pace and their height to estimate your own height.Ī pedometer is an instrument that is often used by joggers and walkers to tell them how far a distance they have gone. Do you ever find that you need to walk faster to keep up with some people whereas you have to decrease your pace to walk with others? This is likely because of the difference in leg length between you and the person you are walking with.