Whatever Happened to the Metric System?

Whatever Happened to the Metric System? PDF Author: John Bemelmans Marciano
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 160819941X
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 418

Book Description
The intriguing tale of why the United States has never adopted the metric system, and what that says about us. The American standard system of measurement is a unique and odd thing to behold with its esoteric, inconsistent standards: twelve inches in a foot, three feet in a yard, sixteen ounces in a pound, one hundred pennies to the dollar. For something as elemental as counting and estimating the world around us, it seems like a confusing tool to use. So how did we end up with it? Most of the rest of the world is on the metric system, and for a time in the 1970s America appeared ready to make the switch. Yet it never happened, and the reasons for that get to the root of who we think we are, just as the measurements are woven into the ways we think. John Marciano chronicles the origins of measurement systems, the kaleidoscopic array of standards throughout Europe and the thirteen American colonies, the combination of intellect and circumstance that resulted in the metric system's creation in France in the wake of the French Revolution, and America's stubborn adherence to the hybrid United States Customary System ever since. As much as it is a tale of quarters and tenths, it is a human drama, replete with great inventors, visionary presidents, obsessive activists, and science-loving technocrats. Anyone who reads this inquisitive, engaging story will never read Robert Frost's line “miles to go before I sleep” or eat a foot-long sub again without wondering, Whatever happened to the metric system?

The Metric System Made Simple

The Metric System Made Simple PDF Author: Albert F. Kempf
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Metric system
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description


Metric in Minutes

Metric in Minutes PDF Author: Dennis R. Brownridge
Publisher: Professional Publications Incorporated
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 120

Book Description
Covers everything you need to know about the metric system (système internationale, SI), from its history to practical tips on conversions and problem solving.

Concepts of Biology

Concepts of Biology PDF Author: Samantha Fowler
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789888407453
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 618

Book Description
Concepts of Biology is designed for the single-semester introduction to biology course for non-science majors, which for many students is their only college-level science course. As such, this course represents an important opportunity for students to develop the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to make informed decisions as they continue with their lives. Rather than being mired down with facts and vocabulary, the typical non-science major student needs information presented in a way that is easy to read and understand. Even more importantly, the content should be meaningful. Students do much better when they understand why biology is relevant to their everyday lives. For these reasons, Concepts of Biology is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand.We also strive to show the interconnectedness of topics within this extremely broad discipline. In order to meet the needs of today's instructors and students, we maintain the overall organization and coverage found in most syllabi for this course. A strength of Concepts of Biology is that instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Concepts of Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand--and apply--key concepts.

Mastering the Metric System

Mastering the Metric System PDF Author: Ned V. Schimizzi
Publisher: Signet Book
ISBN:
Category : Metric system
Languages : en
Pages : 184

Book Description


Metric Units and Conversion Charts

Metric Units and Conversion Charts PDF Author: Theodore Wildi
Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Press
ISBN:
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 152

Book Description
Metric Units and Conversion Charts A Metrication Handbook for Engineers, Technologists, and Scientists Second Edition Why waste your valuable time hunting for conversion factors, symbols, and units? With this handbook, you can convert from one measurement system to any other by means of 62 conversion charts covering almost every field of science. The charts are based on values published by the foremost authoritative sources such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE). The charts are universal, and so conversions can be made quickly and confidently. This much-expanded second edition has the following features: * The charts make a clear distinction between SI and other metric units by identifying SI units by red boxes. * Official symbols of all SI units are given, along with the name of the unit. * The recommended symbols for quantities are shown at the top of each chart. * A new chapter on mass, force and gravity explains how the units of force were established. * For introductory courses, chapters are included explaining quantity equations and numerical equations, together with worked-out examples. * For classroom work, over 100 review questions, together with answers.

The United States and the Metric System

The United States and the Metric System PDF Author: National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Metric system
Languages : en
Pages : 10

Book Description


Metric Units in Engineering--going SI

Metric Units in Engineering--going SI PDF Author: Cornelius Wandmacher
Publisher: Amer Society of Civil Engineers
ISBN: 9780784400708
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 319

Book Description
Wandmacher and Johnson provide guidance for practicing engineers, students, and educators who are adopting and using the International System of Units in their engineering work.

Key to Metric Measurement, Book 1: Metric Units of Length

Key to Metric Measurement, Book 1: Metric Units of Length PDF Author:
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN: 9781559533256
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
In Key to Metric Measurement students learn how to measure in metric units—the only system used in international commerce and communication, and one becoming used in science and technical fields. Students who learn to use the metric system early will be more comfortable as adults with this form of measurement. Includes: Book 1 of Key to Metric Measurement

Metric System

Metric System PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Metric system
Languages : en
Pages : 120

Book Description
Contains pamphlets on the metric system.