A system based on the number 10 is only evenly divisible by 2 and 5. A system based on the number 12 (more or less what the English system is) is evenly divisible by 2, 3, 4, and 6. For most practical, hands-on matters, it is an easier system.
How can it be logical to be impractical? Although simple logic says the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, if walls are included in practice, the logic of execution now must include the practical issues in conjunction with the logical one. After all, how logical is running over and over into that wall insisting it’s the shortest distance?
The multiple factors of a base twelve system which includes many of the most commonly-used divisors isn’t such a bad idea. That’s kinda why it has stuck around for so long. The only reason a base-10 system is more comfortable is due to our 10 distinct numerals. If we had developed a couple more squiggly lines to represent a single-digit 11 and 12, I’d wager we wouldn’t be arguing for base-10 necessarily as that would feel just as awkward for our base-12 math basics to assimilate.
All that said, a base-10 system of numerals is what we have, so a metric system has been developed. I would say at least half of US items employ a metric standard while others have remained English standard. Primarily, this is because of two things: ease and convention. While the metric items have been adopted for ease of conversion, the English items remain due to convention. Yes, we could convert our interstate system and all its signs to the metric system, but what would be the cost-benfit of this? Terrible.
Now I’m long-winded and ignoring the poor tax return awaiting my jogging fingertips to punch it into the system while I comment on a long-dead thread. To the Accountantmobile!
When I was 26 I went from the US to England for a year to do graphics for a mission organization. When I arrived I asked myself why “they” never taught us the metric system like they said they were going to when I was in elementary school? All graphics were done in metric. Once I learned it, I realized the metric system for print made a lot more sense than our system. I still wish we were taught both equally growing up or just switched over to the metric system all together.
The UK still widely uses miles, gallons, and pounds. If you have ever seen the show Top Gear they always reference miles per gallon, miles per hour, fuel capacity in gallons, etc. Officially the metric system is the standard, but it’s far from the standard based on usage.
Metric leaves me cold – I can still estimate an inch ! And I remember the day exactly when the UK switched to decimal currency, my mother asked for a long long time when you told her the price of something – “what’s that in REAL money?”
We’re just that awesome. Or that stubborn. Probably the latter…
eh…they’ll all catch on eventually ;)
The metric system is the tool of the devil. My car gets fourty rods to the hogs head and that’s the way I likes it!
It wouldn’t have been nearly as cool if Sheen had to write “kgwinning”
kgMetricTweeting, FTW!
a map highlighting “the countries that are not *practically* using the metric system” would have a lot more red on it.
A system based on the number 10 is only evenly divisible by 2 and 5. A system based on the number 12 (more or less what the English system is) is evenly divisible by 2, 3, 4, and 6. For most practical, hands-on matters, it is an easier system.
I never thought about it this way, but I agree!
Now explain gallons, miles, pounds, etc.
A gallon is a measure of volume.
A Mile is a measure of length.
A Pound is a measure of weight.
what?
Until you have to start converting or doing anything simpler than dividing by 2 or 4. By that logic we should be using binary
Which by the way IS the most mathematically logical system to measure in. That doesn’t mean it’s the most practical.
How can it be logical to be impractical? Although simple logic says the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, if walls are included in practice, the logic of execution now must include the practical issues in conjunction with the logical one. After all, how logical is running over and over into that wall insisting it’s the shortest distance?
The multiple factors of a base twelve system which includes many of the most commonly-used divisors isn’t such a bad idea. That’s kinda why it has stuck around for so long. The only reason a base-10 system is more comfortable is due to our 10 distinct numerals. If we had developed a couple more squiggly lines to represent a single-digit 11 and 12, I’d wager we wouldn’t be arguing for base-10 necessarily as that would feel just as awkward for our base-12 math basics to assimilate.
All that said, a base-10 system of numerals is what we have, so a metric system has been developed. I would say at least half of US items employ a metric standard while others have remained English standard. Primarily, this is because of two things: ease and convention. While the metric items have been adopted for ease of conversion, the English items remain due to convention. Yes, we could convert our interstate system and all its signs to the metric system, but what would be the cost-benfit of this? Terrible.
Now I’m long-winded and ignoring the poor tax return awaiting my jogging fingertips to punch it into the system while I comment on a long-dead thread. To the Accountantmobile!
U-S-A! U-S-A!
We’ve got those perfidious metric users right where we want them!
As Marshal Foch said, “Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I shall attack!”
When I was 26 I went from the US to England for a year to do graphics for a mission organization. When I arrived I asked myself why “they” never taught us the metric system like they said they were going to when I was in elementary school? All graphics were done in metric. Once I learned it, I realized the metric system for print made a lot more sense than our system. I still wish we were taught both equally growing up or just switched over to the metric system all together.
The UK still widely uses miles, gallons, and pounds. If you have ever seen the show Top Gear they always reference miles per gallon, miles per hour, fuel capacity in gallons, etc. Officially the metric system is the standard, but it’s far from the standard based on usage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_units#Current_use_of_imperial_units
Though official road signs are in miles.
I think Taiwan is also included. Although most countries refuse to recognize that Taiwan exists, it is actually there.
U.S. — stop putting your foot in your mouth … it’s embarrassing!
Metric leaves me cold – I can still estimate an inch ! And I remember the day exactly when the UK switched to decimal currency, my mother asked for a long long time when you told her the price of something – “what’s that in REAL money?”
If you wanted something to illustrate “arrogant Americans” could you do any better than this?