[USMA:11619] Re: Fw: [ukma] Metric and Imperial Quiz

[Bruce Raup]

These are good examples of how metric is easier to work in than Imperial, buy might be countered by, "But no one needs to do such artificial calculations!". It would be interesting to compile (if it hasn't been done) a list of real-world examples where the Imperial units are a nuisance. My recent example: A few months ago I bought some linoleum. The rolls are about 6 ft 6.5 in wide (actually, they're 2 meters, but I don't think the shop person knew that), and I needed 8 feet. I asked the price, and of course, they were selling it by the square yard. Faced with figuring the number of square yards in a sheet 6'6.5" by 8', I asked them for a calculator, and launched into a mini-lecture encouraging them to switch to the metric system! Regarding the quiz below, the calculations do seem a bit artificial, but people would probably do such mental arithmetic more often if it were made easier by the use of sensible units. I believe that non-SI units foster innumeracy. But I understand that topic was discussed on this list before I joined. Bruce -- Bruce Raup National Snow and Ice Data Center Phone: 303-492-8814 University of Colorado, 449 UCB Fax: 303-492-2468 Boulder, CO 80309-0449 [EMAIL PROTECTED] On 2001-03-14 18:17 -0500, kilopascal wrote (and I cleaned up a bit): From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Wed Mar 14 16:33:49 2001 Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 18:17:52 -0500 From: kilopascal <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [USMA:11617] Fw: [ukma] Metric and Imperial Quiz On Wed, 14 Mar 2001 00:47:29 -0000, "Phil Durden" wrote: Here's a few questions to try out on any fool who says that imperial is easier to use than metric. Do NOT use a calculator, but do time yourself for each question - 1a. How many grams are there in 7 metric tonnes? 1b. How many ounces are there in 7 imperial tons? 2a. Given that it is 380 000 km to the moon, how far is that in metres? 2b. Given that it is 250 000 miles to the moon, how far is that in feet? 3a. A swimming pool is 25 m long, 10m wide and averages 1.5 m deep. How many litres does it hold? What is that in cc? 3b. Another swmming pool (an old one) is 25 yards long, 10 yards wide, 3/4 of a fathom deep. How many gallons does it hold? What is that in fl.oz.? 4a. If 1m� of water weighs 1000 kg, how much does 1km� weigh? 4b. If 1yd� of water weighs 1685 lb 8�oz.(approx!), how much does 1 mile� of water weigh? 5a. The Eiffel Tower is 320 m high. How high is a scale model of it at 1:100, measured in cm? 5b. The Chrysler Building is 1047 feet high. How tall is a scale model at 1:100, measured in inches? 6a. How many cubic centimetres are there in a litre? 6b. WITHOUT referring to the metric system, how many cubic inches in a pint? 7a. A tray measuring 50x30 cm by 2 cm deep is left outside in the rain. How many litres of rainwater does it hold when it is full? 7b. Another tray measuring 2 feet x 1 foot by 1 inch in depth is left outside in the rain. How many pints does it hold when full? 8a. How many cm is 8.43 cm + 2.11 cm + 6.40 cm + 1.59 cm? 8b. How many inches is 6 3/32" + 2 7/8" + 9 3/4" + 4 29/64"? 9a. A shop prices carrots loose by the kilo, at 20 p/kg. It also has pre-packed 2.5 kg bags of carrots at 53 p each. Which is better value? 9b. Another shop (in Sunderland) prices potatoes loose by the pound only, at 12p/lb. It also sells pre-packed 5kg bags of potatoes at �1.10 each. Which is better value? There's a few teasers, let's hear some more like that please! Phil D