Wizard writes: > many, no, a lot of don't even know the SI style conventions, look here > http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/checklist.html> > most common mistake > > false: 200 x 10 x 35 mm > right: 200 mm x 10 mm x 35 mm OR 200 x 10 x 35 mm�
This is one of the "rules" with which I personally disagree, and which I choose to ignore. Furthermore, I don't think SP811 is consistent. It states: "... this Guide takes the position that values of quantities must be written so that it is completely clear to which unit symbols the numerical values of the quantities belong." I see no ambiguity in the "false" example above: if the 200 and the 10 are not also in millimeters, what other UOM could they reasonably be interpreted to be in? Also, the "200 x 10 x 35 mm�" strikes me as just plain wrong, and is not in accordance with SP811. There may well be occasions where each number requires a UOM, but those are the exception rather than the rule. This is similar to the most sensible rule I've encountered for the serial comma: use it when necessary to avoid ambiguity, but not otherwise. No comma needed: I bought apples, peaches and pears. No multiple units needed: The size of the board is 120 x 20 x 15 mm. Comma needed: The towels came in red and blue, green and yellow, and white and pink.Multiple units needed: The sheet was 2 m x 2 m by 1 mm. Jim Elwell, CAMS [EMAIL PROTECTED]
