Why Do We Hate Base 10 Arithmetic? (Franken, interstates, solution, cost)
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One of the Great Debates and Astounding Shake Your Head Moments of Our Time
Okay, the overall discussion point is this: why are we/you so reluctant to use the metric system of measurements rather than the English system?
DO NOT answer this question if your mind is closed on the matter and/or you can only think or respond with emotion. Just move on, there is nothing to see here. READ ON if you want to make a side-by-side comparison of a reasonably common conversion scenario and decide for yourself. Yes, I'm on somewhat of a crusade here. But read it. Think about it. And then decide.
You are spreading fertilizer over your large garden or field. You determine that you will need 3,450,000 cubic centimeters of fertilizer. The store only sells it by the cubic meter. How many cubic meters do you need?
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Intro to the metric system (it’s all you will need for the entire system)
- kilo - hecto - deka - meter - deci - centi - milli -
1) to covert from one unit to another, put your finger on the given unit (the prefixes on above table) and count across to the desired unit. Move the decimal that far and in the direction you counted.
Note: if the units are squared, double the number of places you move the decimal. If the units are cubic, triple the number of places you move the decimal.
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Solution:
to count from the centimeter spot (above table) to the meter spot we go 2 spaces to the left. Because it is in cubic units we triple that: 6 spaces to the left.
3,450,000 cubic centimeters ----> 3.450000 cubic meters (3.45 cu m)
You are spreading fertilizer over your large garden or field. You determine that you will need 210,532 cubic inches of fertilizer. The store only sells it in cubic yards. How many cubic yards do you need?
Solution:
Well you already know the English system, right? I will give you the obvious:
12 inches = 1 foot
3 feet = 1 yard
Here is the answer if you are having a hard time: approximately 4.5 cu yd
Okay, now!!! Even if you got the English conversion right off, you tell me which is less computationally intensive, which is less mistake prone, which is more intuitive, and which is less time consuming (time is money in business, right?).
The problem I gave you is very basic in either system. The nice thing about the metric system is that it is never any harder than what you did above for common conversions of distance, volume, and weight. They all work the same. In the English system, do distance, volume, and weight convert with the same equivalencies? No way.
So why are you so resistant again? (‘because that is the way we do it’ is not a legitimate answer. We used to ride on asses too.) Also, I’m talking in the abstract here. I realize that in some industries, converting would cost large sums of money. I’m just asking why, in general and abstract terms, we are so resistant--and base you answer on logic and thought, rather than emotion, please!!!
Epilogue: The metric system is base 10 just like our number system: they go together like a good-looking groom and beautiful bride. The English system is not base ten like our number system: they go together like a beautiful bride and a horribly disfigured Frankenstein.
Of course the Metric system is easier. It's all based on 10.
But part of the problem is that it's not what we know. And nobody is really comfortable with change. It's no different than when I got a different laptop computer at the beginning of this year. I hated it. Hated Vista, etc. Now I'm more comfortable with the computer, though I still don't like Vista...
Also, virtually everything in the United States is already set up on the Standard Measurement System. It would be absurd, from a practical and financial perspective, to change everything over.
That said, the conversions really are not that difficult.
Of course the Metric system is easier. It's all based on 10.
But part of the problem is that it's not what we know. And nobody is really comfortable with change. It's no different than when I got a different laptop computer at the beginning of this year. I hated it. Hated Vista, etc. Now I'm more comfortable with the computer, though I still don't like Vista...
Also, virtually everything in the United States is already set up on the Standard Measurement System. It would be absurd, from a practical and financial perspective, to change everything over.
That said, the conversions really are not that difficult.
You stole my thinder, Rocks. This is exactly what I was going to say with one exception. I was going to say that the metric system is better which it is. But geeeez, you're going to take my foot away? My quart? Come on!
As soon as we switch to the metric system, mathematicians will convince us that the duodecimal system is better, and metric won't work with base 12. (Yes, I know it would, because metric is not founded on base-10 arithmetic.)
You stole my thinder, Rocks. This is exactly what I was going to say with one exception. I was going to say that the metric system is better which it is. But geeeez, you're going to take my foot away? My quart? Come on!
- Reel
Well... We would also have the problem of all agricultural land being marked out in acres, quarters, halves and sections.
Where I grew up there is a road every mile - on the mile. For hundreds of miles in every direction, it's basically a mile-square grid.
Are they going to suddenly dig up all those roads and replace them on the kilometer?
But part of the problem is that it's not what we know. And nobody is really comfortable with change. It's no different than when I got a different laptop computer at the beginning of this year. I hated it. Hated Vista, etc. Now I'm more comfortable with the computer, though I still don't like Vista...
Absolutely. This is the biggest roadblock. And of course, we are all prone to this. I absolutely abhor the new MS Word... I've become so annoyed with Microsoft in general that I've switched to linux! Oh the humanity...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks
That said, the conversions really are not that difficult.
No they weren't. But you have to remember, the typical person nowadays can't do much more than balance a checkbook. I didn't want to get too wild and crazy. After teaching them for 15 years, I'm still amazed by what our public school system doesn't teach (mathematically). We're talking basic things like times tables.
As soon as we switch to the metric system, mathematicians will convince us that the duodecimal system is better, and metric won't work with base 12. (Yes, I know it would, because metric is not founded on base-10 arithmetic.)
Or we could go binary... with our computer age and all...
It would make things easier, no more "13 mm or 1/2" socket debates.
I only think people don't want to change because its just what they are used to. Could you imagine the roads? Going to MPH to KPH, When the speed signs change from 90KPH, people will be doing 90 MPH on the interstates.
It would make things easier, no more "13 mm or 1/2" socket debates.
I only think people don't want to change because its just what they are used to. Could you imagine the roads? Going to MPH to KPH, When the speed signs change from 90KPH, people will be doing 90 MPH on the interstates.
Yep. Exactly. And again, understandable. I don't think in KPH either unless I just look at the little numbers below the big ones on the speedometer for kicks. Although I have been training myself with Celsius lately...
Or we could go binary... with our computer age and all...
I don't think I want to do binary in my head at the supermarlet. Let's see---cucumbers are 1001.110 a kilo, and I've got $10110.101 in my checking account, and I've already bought 111 eggs at 1010 a dozen . . . .
It would literally be easier to buy cucumbers at III for LXVII cents.
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