I think it is just "sensibly rounded." With more digits it is 186 mph. I noticed at the some other UK papers, it was 186 mph with no metric at all. Like all round numbers, it is unclear whether 300 means 299.5-300.4999 or 295-304.999 or 250-349.999, and you have to make an assumption to round sensibly. (It may be a maximum speed, not a nominal, as another article indicates it is lowered from 350 km/h.)
It is China, it is a metric country. I would trust the metric (hoping there was no double conversion) and completely ignore the converted value. Always try to get the source value and convert for yourself if necessary. Reporters are usually innumerate and frequently wrong. Given AP's metric policy, they can't really be trusted with metric data. I would look for AFP coverage if I really needed to confirm the number. ________________________________ From: Martin Vlietstra <[email protected]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Mon, June 27, 2011 8:59:12 AM Subject: [USMA:50762] RE: Reporting on China's Bullet train I notice that the BBC wrote 300 km/h (190 mph) – so is it a tad faster than Eurostar (always advertised at 186 mph)? J ________________________________ From:[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John M. Steele Sent: 27 June 2011 13:38 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:50761] Reporting on China 's Bullet train Kudos to the BBC for doing it right (300 km/h): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13927660 Brickbats to AP for being wrong as usual (300 kph): http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gEKiNdpV9Zxh3kWJQPpw7fAgFtkA?docId=8ccc0ee939e84046874409835923e35b
