[USMA:26860] RE: More Questions

[Bill Potts]

John:   As a hectare is 10 000 square meters and a square kilometer is 1 000 000 square meters, there are, ipso facto, 100 hectares in a square kilometer.   The symbol for centimeter is cm, not Cm. All submultiple prefixes are lower case. All multiple prefixes are upper case, with three exceptions -- h [hecto, hekto, hecta or hekta] for 100 times, k [kilo] for 1000 times, and da [deca or deka] for 10 times. Some of us would like to see this inconsistency eliminated, with the three replaced by H, K and D, respectively.   For actual conversions, your assumptions are correct. 2.5 cm is a good enough value for an inch for rough estimates. The inch is officially defined as 2.54 cm. You should point out to those who think otherwise that the inch is defined in terms of the centimeter and not the other way round.   Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of john mercer Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 13:07 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:26858] More Questions Hello everyone I just want to thank everyone for answering all my questions.  I have another couple of them.  How many Hectares are there in a square kilometer? If a person asks me how many Cm's are in an inch should I tell them 2.5 or 2.54? I know that 2.54 is the exact conversion but is 2.5 good enough for every day use?  If I explain the metric system to someone who isn't used to it and wants to know the conversion factor I don't want to make the metric system seem dificult.  I know that Usma doesn't support conversion because it can make the metric system seem mor dificult than it is.  However when we explain the metric system using a measurement they are used to it might help.  I agree having dual sided rulers and meter sticks only slows the progress of going  metric.  Thanks again for all your help John Mercer.