Pat Naughtin wrote:
>
> Dear Jim,
>
> When the definition of the inch changed to 25.4 mm (in 1959) did this also
> mean that the definition of the U.S. gallon changed to suit the 'new' inch?
Exactly. Though the literal definition of the gallon did not change,
the actual size of the gallon did change in 1959. However, this was by a
very tiny amount. The inch changed size by about 2 �m/m, or 0.0002 %.
Thus the size of the gallon changed by about 0.0006 % (cubic expansion
of a binomial will suffice). Although the surveyors in the U.S. could
not tolerate this "tremendous" change, thus causing us to define a
survey foot based on the old definition, Borden's cow (Elsie) apparently
was not similarly moo-ved.
Ok, I've done the hard work in that nasty old metric system, now
quickly tell me by how many minims did the gallon change size. What? Not
done yet? Well, it was about 37 minims and so the milk producers must
have decided it didn't make a dram bit of difference. (Check it out!)
Jim
--
Metric Methods(SM) "Don't be late to metricate!"
James R. Frysinger, LCAMS http://www.metricmethods.com/
10 Captiva Row e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Charleston, SC 29407 phone: 843.225.6789
