Due to possible wrap-around problems, perhaps I should rearrange the tables
I presented.
-----Original Message-----
From: Duncan Bath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: March 10, 2002 11:22
Subject: [USMA:18661] Modern Measures
I had trouble completing an entry via your "Your Suggestions Count!" so,
I'll try again.
I have just received an INTRAV travel brochure entitled "Ancient Treasures
of China and the Yangtze River" (via the University of Alberta).
I was astonished to note that numerical information was given in
old-fashioned feet, acres, miles etc. This despite the fact that 95% of the
world's population uses SI measures. Just to give a 'flavor' of the
contrasts in the two ways of 'doing numbers', please see a comparison of
"700-acre" [Pg. 2] and 285-hectare.
Sq.ft. Acres Sq.mi.
30,492,000 700 1.09
m^2 hm^2 (ha) km^2
2,850,000 285 2.85
It can be seen that the customary way involves a mismatched mixture of
units.
The SI way has an obvious harmony inherent in it.
In China, they do it the SI way.
Why not emphasize the lure of far away places by using their measures
rather than pretending that 'everyone' uses feet, acres, miles etc.?
Duncan
DT Bath, 861 Kensington Dr., Peterborough ON K9J 6J8
(705)743-4297
