2006-09-07 04:37:29 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Because some folks seem to be incapable of comprehending the SI/metric system.
Try telling some folks in the U.S. that city X is 100 kilometers away, and they'll look at you as if you had horns. But tell them that the same place is 62 miles away, and they'll thank you for it.
Same thing for temperature: tell them it's 24°C and they'll not understand what you mean. Then tell them it's 75°F, and they'll remark on what a lovely day it is.
The units are telling us the same thing, but most Americans are so deeply steeped in the old English system that they can't/won't get their heads around the simplicity of the metric system.
So all you need is a set of conversion factors to make the changes:
1 mile = 1.609 km
1 km = 0.621 miles
1 pound = 0.454 kg = 454 grams
1 kg = 2.205 lb
°C = 5/9 * (°F - 32)
°F = (9/5 * C) + 32
Easy stuff!
2006-09-07 04:44:55 · answer #1 · answered by Dave_Stark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a conversion factor, since it depends on what you are trying to convert. The conversions for length, mass, volume, etc. are each entirely different.
2006-09-07 11:43:53 · answer #2 · answered by SLKislack 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are conversions betweent the 2 systems. follow directions and you'll be fine
2006-09-07 11:40:52 · answer #3 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what, specifically are you trying to convert? This would make it easier to answer the question
2006-09-07 11:42:17 · answer #4 · answered by Steve M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋