Only a guess, but I bet it has a lot to do computerization of the stock markets. It's much easier to enter a decimal stock price than a fractional on a keyboard. It's also probably much easier to write database code for decimal numbers. Now there's an interesting thought. If someone buys a stock at, say, 20 and 1/3 dollars, and the stockbroker's computer stores the price in the database as 20.33333..., who gets the $0.00333... when they cash out?
Scott C > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On > Behalf Of M R > Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 6:26 AM > To: U.S. Metric Association > Subject: [USMA:16425] What prompted decimalization > > > The decimal currency (1$ = 100 cents) was introduced > in the US almost 220 years ago. But the stock > exchange switched to decimal units only in the year > 2001. > > What prompted this change, is it to > 1. adjust with the global situation > 2. competition from European exchanges > 3. based on an individuals initiative. > > If anyone can find this, then we can pursue the same > path to metrication also. > > Madan > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just $8.95/month. > http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1 >
