Gene, I agree with your remarks. However, Pat has some valid points too. Can we agree that in linear measure, any advantage to the use of centimeter occurs only when integer centimeters are sufficient resolution? I see no advantage to a number in centimeters to one decimal, millimeters seem preferable in that case, and I think it is reasonable to discourage centimeters in that case.
For area and volume computations, there may still be an advantage to having the numbers in centimeters, regardless of resolution, if an answer is square or cubic centimeters suits the problem. ________________________________ From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 5:52:30 PM Subject: [USMA:46564] Re: "Go Metric" bumper sticker; centimeters Pat, The SI unit of length is the "meter"; neither centimeter nor millimeter are coherent units of length in SI. Both centimeter and millimeter are formally approved by the CGPM as "submultiples" of the unit meter. I'm sure you know all this. Although you favor exclusive use of mm over cm for precise industrial and commercial applications for good reasons, please stop insisting on exclusion of cm for educational and general public applications. Gene. ---- Original message ---- >Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 09:09:53 +1100 >From: Pat Naughtin <[email protected]> >Subject: [USMA:46562] Re: "Go Metric" bumper sticker; centimeters >To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> > > On 2010/02/02, at 06:18 , Martin Vlietstra wrote: > > One of the important roles played by the > centimetre is in elementary education. Young > children can use centimetre blocks to learns > counting and measuring at the same time (the > Montesouri method). Getting them to unlearn > centimetres is a retrograde step – it is far > better to introduce millimetres once they are > ready for it and to teach them that some > industries use millimetres and some centimetres > (and that you should not mix them). > > Dear Martin, > You make some interesting points... >
