base 10. simplification over the standard measurments. that is all. it is easier to convert.
2006-08-19 17:06:35
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answer #1
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answered by plasticrooster 2
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As a measuring system, based on exponents or multiplications by 10, the metric system was recognized by different countries as a universal way of trade and measurement.
It was Fibonacci who brought from the Arab world the number zero to go along with 1 through 9, which answered problems to the other numeric systems at the time (probably around 1200 A.D.).
Thomas Jefferson, also interested in setting down a plan for weights and measurements in the U.S. after the Revolution, applied mathematical standards for trade amongst the States of the Union.
The United States is regional about its use of the metric system. In some areas, speed limit signs will have miles per hour and kilometers per hour, but in most places, the English method of measurement is the only way to go. Yards, inches, gallons, pints. American money was the first to have a decimal measurement, if I'm not mistaken. Hope any of this helps.
2006-08-19 17:33:39
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answer #2
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answered by Another Guy 4
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The metric system is a universal measurement system, the same in every country on earth IF they use it. Prior to the establishment of the metric system, each nation or area or tribe would have their own standard. In practice if "feet" represented the length of the king's foot, the unit of measure could change each time there was a new monarch. I believe we can thank the French Revolution for giving us the metric system, when they swept away the monarchical system. It was a great idea, because it standardized measurement and created a system on the logic of base 10. It is not commonly used in the United States because this is a profoundly conservative country and our economy is so large that we have been able to maintain our eccentricity in this matter. However remember a Mars rocket failed because NASA scientists failed to differentiate common and metric measurements. Also as manufacturing moves offshore (offshore to the US), expect imported products to be designed to metric standards.
2006-08-20 07:12:15
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answer #3
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answered by ronw 4
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There are two reasons for the simplicity of the metric system.
1 ... it follows the decimal number system—that is metric units increase or decrease in size by multiples of 10. For example, one centimeter has 10 parts called millimeters and 100 centimeters make one meter. Under the customary system there is no single relationship between the units. For example, feet and inches go by i2 but yards and feet go by 3.
2... for simplicity is that there are only 7 basic units that make up all measurements. The customary system has more than 20 basic units just for its common measurements. Customary units used for special purposed add many more basic units to that system.
2006-08-19 17:13:30
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answer #4
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answered by spaceprt 5
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Each metric unit of measure (e.g., kilometer, meter, centimeter, millimeter, etc.) is a ten-based multiple of another unit, unlike the English units of measure (e.g., mile, yard, foot, inch, etc.). The spin off of the ten-based multiples for metrics is that they are easier to handle and don't require conversion factors other than ten-based to change one unit of measure into another.
For example, the kilometer (km) is kind of like the metrics version of the English mile. (A km does not equal a mile, but it's used in much the same manner as a mile.) To convert a kilometer to meters (m), the metric equivalent to the English yard, we simply multiply the number of kilometers times 1,000. Or, in short hand, we simply put X 10^3 on the number of kilometers (km) we have. 1.2 km = 1.2 X 10^3 m, for instance. (The 10 in 10^3 indicates the ten-based multiple...1,000 in this case.)
The English, unfortunately, have to measure things out according to the king's feet. So our foot came from the foot size of the English king at the time they worked out such things. None of the units of measure is just a simple base ten multiple of another English unit of measure.
For example, to convert 1 mile (the English version of a kilometer) into yards (the meter equivalent), we have to know that 1 mile = 1,760 yards; so we would multiply the number of miles by 1,760 yards/mile to get those miles in yards. Then, if we were to want feet, we'd have to know there are 3 ft/yard; and multiply the yard answer by 3 ft/yard to get the feet, etc. That is, in English units of measure, we have to memorize the conversion factors for each level of conversion.
In addition to being easier to use, the metrics system is more universally used throughout the world. About the only place we find miles, yards, and such is in the UK and former British colonies like the United States. Many of the former colonies are converting or already have converted to the metrics system.
2006-08-19 18:03:28
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answer #5
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answered by oldprof 7
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Ten pennies to a dime, ten dimes to a dollar, and so on. Base ten is so much easier to convert - millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers - they're all related by being simply adding or subtracting zeros or moving the decimal point. It's simply silly that there are TWELVE inches in a foot - THREE feet in a yard - 5280 feet in a mile - two pints to a quart - four quarts to a gallon - and on and on. Find a tenth of an inch on a ruler - bet you can't, but you can find an eighth or a sixteenth of an inch. Dispite all of the advantages, I don't foresee any rush to conversion in the near future.
2006-08-19 17:20:07
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answer #6
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answered by LeAnne 7
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The metric gadget became into invented by skill of the French...confident, many countries use it. some use section metric, section English, and section interior of reach (which contain in the Philippines). in case you think of it somewhat is elementary, attempt airing up your tires making use of metric! it somewhat is ironic that metric is in accordance with gadgets of 100s; nicely, what's the U.S. greenback? Metric won't paintings for many stuff, which contain time, calendars, etc. the only income for the U.S. to transform to metric is with the help of the fact lots of alternative international locations use it. So, no, i think of we would desire to continuously save our cutting-edge gadget (which somewhat isn't English; the English gallon, case in point, is a greater quantity than the yankee gallon).
2016-10-02 07:38:24
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Metric is much easier to learn and use. Can't understand why anyone would cling to the old imperial system.
2006-08-19 17:11:59
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answer #8
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answered by Neil S 4
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Its main reason is to have accurate measurement as a universal standard of measurement.
2006-08-19 17:10:51
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answer #9
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answered by Maganda 3
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You can blame the French. See the attached link.
2006-08-19 17:13:00
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answer #10
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answered by Ranto 7
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