Do they still teach the metric system in schools? (calculation, prices)

[jjs65]

Originally Posted by paddy205

I too am a civil engineer. A few years back PennDOT tried to go to the metric system but contractors had to convert everything back to English (US customary units) to buy materials and determine unit prices and it became too cumbersome so we switched back to US customary. The professional licensure exam for engineers uses both systems and I learned both in HS, college and grad school.

I second that. I just took the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam a few weeks ago and it has both. At this point, just know both and how to convert and you'll be fine for whatever your need is.

Never knew about the PennDOT thing though, neat.

[jimmyev]

Computer Science seems to be all metric - kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes. If kids can convert from KB to MB to GB they've learned the metric system.

[grimacista]

Teaching Celsius is a waste of time. It sounds much better on a hot day to see the thermometer say 101 than 38.

[Impala26]

Originally Posted by grimacista

Teaching Celsius is a waste of time. It sounds much better on a hot day to see the thermometer say 101 than 38.

I actually agree with this when one is talking about the weather. The Farenheit scale has more precise units of measure. Specifically, 1 degree Celsius is 1.8 degrees Farenheit, so almost two Farenheit degrees for each Celsius. Most temperate climates have a temperature variance of about 30-40 degrees Celsius, so why not use Farenheit to be more precise?

However, when we are talking about thermodynamics and such, Celsius is MUCH more important and useful.

[ki0eh]

Originally Posted by paddy205

I too am a civil engineer. A few years back PennDOT tried to go to the metric system but contractors had to convert everything back to English (US customary units) to buy materials and determine unit prices and it became too cumbersome so we switched back to US customary. The professional licensure exam for engineers uses both systems and I learned both in HS, college and grad school.

I believe that was a Clinton era initiative from FHWA that disappeared quickly also in NY state.

Working as an inspector back then I was used to a certain superintendent referring to an even station (i.e. 38+00, for those who don't know this notation, it reflects 3,800' from a starting point) as "38 balls". Then when metric stationing came out, it was, say, 10+000. He said "What do I call that?"

[pman]

Originally Posted by jimmyev

Computer Science seems to be all metric - kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes. If kids can convert from KB to MB to GB they've learned the metric system.

my hard drive can hold a bushel of bytes and my laptop has a cord of memory.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by jimmyev

Computer Science seems to be all metric - kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes. If kids can convert from KB to MB to GB they've learned the metric system.

Technically no. The metric system is base 10 while computer science is base 2. For instance, a kilobyte is 1024 bytes not 1000.

[gg]

It is so sad that we all didn't just go metric. Working around cars as a hobby, it would be great if everything was in metric. I knew we would never make the switch to a system that is based on 10's, because people can't change habits. Look at fuel prices and the writing is on the wall clearly showing everyone that fuel is going to get more and more expensive and if anything happens in Saudi, we will have fuel prices over $6 overnight, but everyone is still driving empty pickups as a status symbol and huge SUV's because women want to feel powerful. People won't change unless it is forced in someway. It would have to be one heck of a force.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

It is so sad that we all didn't just go metric. Working around cars as a hobby, it would be great if everything was in metric. I knew we would never make the switch to a system that is based on 10's, because people can't change habits. Look at fuel prices and the writing is on the wall clearly showing everyone that fuel is going to get more and more expensive and if anything happens in Saudi, we will have fuel prices over $6 overnight, but everyone is still driving empty pickups as a status symbol and huge SUV's because women want to feel powerful. People won't change unless it is forced in someway. It would have to be one heck of a force.

Um....so....changing to the metric system will lower gas prices? Buying by the liter might look cheaper but it's not.

[gg]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

Um....so....changing to the metric system will lower gas prices? Buying by the liter might look cheaper but it's not.

ha ha. No just a parallel showing that most people are very reluctant to change and most are rut seekers.