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From what I've experienced, we use the imperial units for the same reason we use degrees over radians: the units allow for common use of integer multiples of si
by HCIdivision17 14y ago
From what I've experienced, we use the imperial units for the same reason we use degrees over radians: the units allow for common use of integer multiples of simple fractions. For some people, a simple fraction of a relatable unit really is easier to deal with than a base ten decimal, and a lot of labor out there simply doesn't need higher precision.
Of course, once you enter any sort of engineering work, well, simple fractions often won't cut it and it's far, far easier to simply use a decimal number. And then there's no reason not to use metric measurements.
- reycharles 14y agoFirst of all, I think it's a poor example. A full circle in degrees is an integer while in radians it's not even a fractional number (it's an irrational number)! Also, I don't get the thing about fractions. Decimal numbers are fractions as well.
- SideburnsOfDoom 14y ago> the units allow for common use of integer multiples of simple fractions. What does that mean? Isn't "use of multiples of fractions" a property of numbers in general? > For some people, a simple fraction of a relatable unit really is easier to deal with than a base ten decimal What's easier is what you're used to. That's the whole point.
- cicero 14y ago12 can be evenly divided into thirds and quarters, but 10 cannot. It is more likely that something will need to be divided 2 or 3 ways than 5 ways.
- TomAnthony 14y agoTrue, yet most of the rest of the world seem to be suffering any from this 'deficiency'.
- benbataille 14y ago10 can be divided in third and quarter fine. It does 10/3 and 10/4=2.5. Well, 10/3 isn't round so people don't like it but neither is 1/3 of an inch. It's not because a lot of operations suddenly become doable with numbers that you magically lose the usage of fractions.