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Big, Small, and Brave

From towering giants to pint-sized heroes, these pairs show that friendship, courage, and teamwork come in all sizes.

Photo by Nicola Goode. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

The Mandalorian and Grogu hit the big screen on May 22!

After a three-year wait, Star Wars fans will finally head back to a galaxy far, far away. On May 22, one of the franchise’s most beloved duos hits theaters in The Mandalorian and Grogu. Since their Disney+ series debuted in 2019, the two stars have captivated audiences with their unlikely partnership. The Mandalorian is a skilled bounty hunter of very few words, while his cute companion Grogu is a mysterious young alien who steals every scene.

One thing that makes them stand apart is their size difference. The 6-foot-tall Mandalorian towers over tiny Grogu, who’s just over 1 foot tall. That dramatic contrast isn’t just striking, it’s part of what makes their partnership so memorable.

And they’re not alone! Across the worlds of science fiction and fantasy, many short-and-tall duos have captured our hearts—from droids and aliens to wizards and half-giants. Read on to meet some mismatched pairs who often leave a big impression—no matter their size.

It’s been three years. But finally, Star Wars fans are heading back to a galaxy far, far away. The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22. It features one of the franchise’s most beloved pairs. The Disney+ series about the two characters debuted in 2019. Since then, they have captivated audiences with their unlikely partnership. The Mandalorian is a bounty hunter of very few words. His companion, Grogu, is a mysterious young alien. Grogu is so cute, he steals every scene! 

One thing that sets the two characters apart is their size. The Mandalorian is 6 feet tall. He towers over tiny Grogu, who’s just over 1 foot tall. That contrast isn’t just striking. It’s also part of what makes their partnership so memorable.

And they’re not alone! Across the worlds of science fiction and fantasy, many short-and-tall duos have captured our hearts. They include droids, aliens, wizards, and half-giants. Read on to meet some mismatched pairs. They often leave a big impression—no matter their size. 

Writing Ratios
Watch an instructional video about writing ratios.

Use this information to write unit ratios comparing the heights of famous small-and-tall duos. Round the non-unit values to the nearest hundredth when necessary. Record your work and answers on our answer sheet.

Use this information to write unit ratios comparing the heights of famous small-and-tall duos. Round the non-unit values to the nearest hundredth when necessary. Record your work and answers on our answer sheet.

THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP

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Yoda teaches Luke Skywalker how to use the Force.

Lucasfilm/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

Powerful characters like Yoda need a lift sometimes too!

The Star Wars universe is filled with some of cinema’s most iconic partnerships. Many of them have dramatic height differences. From towering warriors to tiny aliens, these pairs are central to the story. One classic example is Luke Skywalker and his mentor Yoda. Yoda’s wisdom and connection to the Force make him one of the most powerful figures in the galaxy. (The Force is the mysterious energy that some characters can use.) In Star Wars, even the smallest heroes can play the biggest roles!

Some of the most memorable movie partnerships come from the Star Wars universe. And many of them have dramatic height differences! From towering warriors to tiny aliens, these pairs are central to the story. One example is Luke Skywalker and his mentor Yoda. Yoda is wise and skilled at controlling the Force. (That’s the mysterious energy that some Star Wars characters can use.) It makes him one of the most powerful figures in the galaxy. In Star Wars, even the smallest heroes can play the biggest roles!

A. Yoda is 2 feet 2 inches tall, and Luke Skywalker stands 5 feet 9 inches tall. Write a ratio comparing Yoda’s height to Luke Skywalker’s height.

A. Yoda is 2 feet 2 inches tall, and Luke Skywalker stands 5 feet 9 inches tall. Write a ratio comparing Yoda’s height to Luke Skywalker’s height.

B. Rewrite the ratio in Part A as a unit ratio in the form of 1:A, where Yoda’s height is 1.

B. Rewrite the ratio in Part A as a unit ratio in the form of 1:A, where Yoda’s height is 1.

A MAGICAL PAIR

© Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Harry Potter was only 11 when he met the half-giant Hagrid.

Some friendships in the wizarding world of Harry Potter are unforgettable, but few are as heartwarming as the bond between Hagrid and Harry. Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is a half-giant. In the books, he’s “twice the height of a normal man.” Harry Potter, on the other hand, is considerably shorter—especially when they first meet when Harry is 11. (Scholastic, the U.S. publisher of Harry Potter books, also publishes Scholastic MATH.)

Hagrid becomes one of Harry’s most loyal protectors and trusted friends. The half-giant’s enormous size is matched by his equally enormous heart, while Harry’s smaller size never limits his courage or determination. Their friendship shows that differences can make a team stronger. Whether facing dangerous creatures or life’s toughest challenges, this small-and-tall pair stands together through it all.

Many friendships in the world of Harry Potter are unforgettable. But one of the most heartwarming is the bond between Hagrid and Harry. Rubeus Hagrid is a half-giant who works at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the books, he’s “twice the height of a normal man.” Harry Potter, on the other hand, is considerably shorter. That’s especially true when they first meet, when Harry is 11. (Scholastic, the U.S. publisher of Harry Potter books, also publishes Scholastic MATH.)

Hagrid becomes one of Harry’s most trusted friends. And he’s not just enormous in size. He also has an enormous heart! Harry is smaller  but still brave and determined. Their friendship shows that differences can make a team stronger. Whether facing dangerous creatures or life’s toughest challenges, this pair stands together through it all.

In the books, Hagrid is about 11 feet tall, while Harry was 4 feet 10 inches when they met. Write a unit ratio comparing Harry’s height to Hagrid’s height.

In the books, Hagrid is about 11 feet tall, while Harry was 4 feet 10 inches when they met. Write a unit ratio comparing Harry’s height to Hagrid’s height.

TIME-TRAVELING DUO

Maximum Film/Alamy Stock Photo

The duo travels between 1985, 1955, 2015, and 1885 in the three films.

Unlikely friendships can make the most exciting adventures. The pairing of the tall eccentric scientist Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown and shorter teen Marty McFly is a perfect example. In the Back to the Future trilogy, this pair travels through time in a DeLorean car, navigating the past, present, and future together.

Their height difference, though, is just one of the many contrasts that make their partnership so memorable. Doc’s inventive mind and larger-than-life energy complement Marty’s quick thinking, resourcefulness, and bravery. Together, they go on time-travel adventures, overcome challenges, and learn from their mistakes. Their friendship shows that the best partnerships are built on trust and teamwork.

Unlikely friendships can make the most exciting adventures. That’s certainly the case in the Back to the Future trilogy. One of the main characters is the tall, quirky scientist Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown. He teams up with a shorter teen named Marty McFly. The pair travel through time in a DeLorean car. They navigate the past, present, and future together.

Their height difference is just one of the many contrasts in their partnership. Doc has a creative mind and larger-than-life energy. That works well with Marty’s bravery and quick thinking. Together, they go on adventures, overcome challenges, and learn from mistakes. They show that the best partnerships are built on trust and teamwork.

Doc Brown is 6 feet 1 inch tall. Marty is 5 feet 4 inches tall. Write a unit ratio comparing Marty’s height to Doc Brown’s.

Doc Brown is 6 feet 1 inch tall. Marty is 5 feet 4 inches tall. Write a unit ratio comparing Marty’s height to Doc Brown’s.

A MARVEL OF DIFFERENCES

Marvel Studios/Disney/Moviestore Collection LTD/Alamy Stock Photo

In the second film, Baby Groot (right) is smaller than Rocket (left).

Cinematic/Alamy Stock Photo

Groot and Rocket make a great pair—no matter their size!  

In a universe filled with gods, super-soldiers, aliens, and billionaire geniuses, some of Marvel’s strongest bonds exist between the most physically mismatched heroes. Rocket and Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies illustrate this. Rocket is a small, genetically engineered raccoon, while Groot is a towering treelike creature of unknown origins. His entire vocabulary consists of three words: “I am Groot.” Rocket is the brains of the operation, and Groot provides the muscle.

In the first movie, Groot is the taller of the pair. But after sacrificing himself for the team, Groot regrows from a small twig over the next two movies in the series. In the Marvel universe, being a hero isn’t about size but heart.

The Marvel universe is filled with gods, super-soldiers, aliens, and billionaire geniuses. And the most physically mismatched heroes form some of the strongest bonds. Rocket and Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies are a great example. Rocket is a small, genetically engineered raccoon. Groot is a towering treelike creature who only says one thing: “I am Groot.” When they work together, Rocket is the brains of the operation. Groot provides the muscle.

In the first movie, Groot is taller than Rocket. But after sacrificing himself for the team, Groot becomes a small twig. He has to grow back over the next two movies in the series. In the Marvel universe, being a hero isn’t about size. It’s about heart!

A. Regular-sized Groot is 7 feet 11 inches tall, and Rocket is 3 feet 1 inch tall. Write a unit ratio comparing Rocket’s height to Groot’s.

A. Regular-sized Groot is 7 feet 11 inches tall, and Rocket is 3 feet 1 inch tall. Write a unit ratio comparing Rocket’s height to Groot’s.

B. In the second movie, Baby Groot is 10 inches tall. Write a unit ratio comparing Rocket’s height to Baby Groot’s, where Rocket’s height is 1.

B. In the second movie, Baby Groot is 10 inches tall. Write a unit ratio comparing Rocket’s height to Baby Groot’s, where Rocket’s height is 1.

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