They always say how the metric system is superior because it uses units of 10 and 100 so can easily be calculated, but why does that mean the rest of us should use it? After all, our clock is divided into 12 hours (just like the foot), a circle has 360 degrees which divides evenly by 12 but not by 100, and it is so well embedded into our culture.
So then what about significant figures...where you can only use the number of digits you start with? If you have 5, divide by 2, you have 2.5 but have to round up to 3 because of significant figures. So then you want to get back to where you were, you multiply that result by 2 and you get 6. So 5 and 6 are essentially the same thing, in a scientists mind, by that rationale. I mean, I understand you can't say that you are able to divide 5 by 2 and get 2.50000000 exactly, but let's use a little common sense here people! Anyone else feel the same way?
2007-07-26 06:09:07 · 12 answers · asked by rhyno 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Units such as metres, feet, pounds, kilograms do not have a natural meaning. They were simply chosen to make it easier to communicate different quantities. You can also invent your own units, but it would be difficult to get people to accept them.
Scientists do not force them on people. Metric units were designed to make calculation easier and convenient. They are not in any way superior to other units. They are only convenient when it comes to calculations because it does not have conversion constants.
When they were introduced, the American system was already widely in use in America while the imperial system was already been used in many countries. This is what made it difficult to change over to the new system. This is also the reason why most aviation measurements are in gallons, pounds, feet etc rather than metres and kilograms.
2007-07-26 06:21:25 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually it was the Americans that forced the metric system on everybody else around them but that is just plain old politics. Let's leave that alone.
The metric system was developed to try to make sciene go faster by simplifying calculations. It is easier to convert measurments in the metric system than in the imperial system. Furthermore, the old system of measurement had everybody having his own idea of the pound and own ideas of length and temperature. The scientists from all over came together to try and standardize the measurements so we could all understand each other easily. Did you know that a gallon in the US (where you live) is different from a gallon in England? Just imagine the confusion when internation trade is to take place. Especially a multinational trade.
Right now there is still some hokus pokus (trickery) going on because everybody (the US included) is not running with the metric system.
Rounding off numbers is not good in all cases. Any accountant will tell you that. Suppose the bank was to round off all the transactions so that they would get one cent from everybody in America each time they do something? They would be millions of US dollars richer every few seconds. However, rounding off figures gives you a quick means of putting things into perspective but you have to do so in a particular manner or else the purpose will be defeated. Math help you to use these systems.
2007-07-26 06:31:32 · answer #2 · answered by obidic 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Metric system does make more sense when you're trying to build a spaceship. For everyday life I don't think it matters much.
Significant Figures has to do with measurment. Say you have a ruler, and the smallest division on the ruler is 1/16 of an inch. When you take a measurement 1/16 of an ich would be the smallest division you can measure, and you can estimate if the measurement falls between those two lines but you are only accurate to 1/16th of an inch. So if you were to then use those measurements in a calculation when you divide and multiply the result of your calculation can't be more precise than the measurements you took. You only really know that number to be accurate to the measurements you took, that's why you round numbers off.
2007-07-26 06:19:18 · answer #3 · answered by Gwenilynd 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Metric system is more scientific
The rest of the world uses it (including the UK)
Computers can handle metric numbers much better and faster resulting in better control and execution of tasks.
Sure, common people don't have to bother with significant figures but they are important for the study of Science and progress of Technology.
At a time when fewer Americans are studying Science than ever before, it is good time to introspect just what the future holds.
2007-07-26 06:15:46 · answer #4 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most non-scientific people rarely have to deal with angles (degrees) and time is used often enough that it is second nature (plus most people use digital clocks now any way).
Aside from those points, the metric system is much simpler to calculate.
Try this without using a calculator: How many inches are in a 2.42 miles? How many ounces are in a 1.62 tons.
I am very good with numbers and I can't do either one without a calculator (and having to remember several non-standard values).
Now, how many centimeters are in 2.42 km? How many milligrams are in 1.62 kiligrams? Easy: 242,000cm and 1,620,000mg.
So there is a very practical and definitive benefit from using the metric system for calculations.
2007-07-26 06:17:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an engineer I prefer the metric system due to its ease of use. Having only one system also helps eliminate conversion errors. The importance of sig figs is that it is a universal system that all scientists use. If everyone went by there own rounding rules there would be discrepancies in numbers. I find common sense points to the metric system and current sig fig rules.
2007-07-26 06:18:16 · answer #6 · answered by Martin K 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Whoa, cool your jets scooter. Number one no scientist ever tried to force it on us to my knowledge, it is just easier to express interrelated items in metric.
The older folk out there might remember a certain president tried to force it on us. Does anyone remember Jimmy Carter promising to switch the entire country to metric. Another Democratic failure.
I easily switch back and forth between the two. It's rather simple if you even have a minimal capacity for thought.
I wish you luck. It looks like you'll need it.
2007-07-26 06:22:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the UK we use both systems in parallel and there's no problem - I think you're being over sensitive.
It's much easier in scientific terms to all use the same system because then there are no errors in conversion or misunderstanding. In this respect, the USA is out of step with everyone else.
2007-07-26 06:13:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Everyone else uses the metric system. All the scientists at least.
2007-07-26 06:12:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think any scientist is forcing anything. All American standards like ASTM and ASME are in non-metric units only.
2007-07-26 06:12:39 · answer #10 · answered by Swamy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋