The metric-system
Jun 19th 2009 | 2:36 pm
#17
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Re: The metric-system
If memory serves me right, the UK road signs used to show the height (or width) of a bridge in metres and imperial but would tell you how far from the sign to the bridge in yards. 
Last edited by MartinLuther; Jun 19th 2009 at 2:39 pm.
Jun 19th 2009 | 2:42 pm
#18
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Re: The metric-system
Here's one of my favourite UK signs 
Jun 19th 2009 | 2:59 pm
#19
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From: Kohimarama
Re: The metric-system
Yes. Why would anyone introduce metric and keep using Imperial? That makes no sense whatsoever.
Correct.
Yes, the reality is exactly like that.
Metric. You will occasionally encounter people who were educated in the pre-metric era, who often use a mixture of metric and Imperial. But they'll all be dead in a few decades, so it's not a big problem.
We have no such problem. Our neighbours all use metric as well.
Correct.
Yes, the reality is exactly like that.
Metric. You will occasionally encounter people who were educated in the pre-metric era, who often use a mixture of metric and Imperial. But they'll all be dead in a few decades, so it's not a big problem.
We have no such problem. Our neighbours all use metric as well.
Baby weights are given in pounds and ounces, people say they are 5ft x or whatever, not usually metric (and these are young Australians) but they give their weight in kilos.
Jun 19th 2009 | 3:13 pm
#21
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Re: The metric-system
hectares are part of the metric system.
But it does raise the point that acres are used a lot in Aus for things like house plots and small farms whereas hectares are used for large areas like the size of a forest.
Another unusual one is that houses are sold in squares (10' by 10') which is not a measure I've seen elsewhere.
But it does raise the point that acres are used a lot in Aus for things like house plots and small farms whereas hectares are used for large areas like the size of a forest.
Another unusual one is that houses are sold in squares (10' by 10') which is not a measure I've seen elsewhere.
Last edited by MartinLuther; Jun 19th 2009 at 4:56 pm. Reason: 100 sq ft
Jun 19th 2009 | 5:40 pm
#22
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Re: The metric-system
I suppose it is about choosing a number which then doesn't get too big. 6ft more meaningful than 182cm.
100 Hectares of land burnt is easier to manage than 250 acres, especially when that number is getting bigger and equal to an area the size of Greater London. Saying that my workbench is 3 feet across is easier than giving that in cm although some tradies would smart...
But of course, being the all-round top bloke you are, this does not faze you, or want to make you think about the Barratt houses of Olde England...
Jun 19th 2009 | 7:09 pm
#23
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Re: The metric-system
1 hectare = 10,000 sq metres?
I suppose it is about choosing a number which then doesn't get too big. 6ft more meaningful than 182cm.
100 Hectares of land burnt is easier to manage than 250 acres, especially when that number is getting bigger and equal to an area the size of Greater London. Saying that my workbench is 3 feet across is easier than giving that in cm although some tradies would smart...
But of course, being the all-round top bloke you are, this does not faze you, or want to make you think about the Barratt houses of Olde England...
I suppose it is about choosing a number which then doesn't get too big. 6ft more meaningful than 182cm.
100 Hectares of land burnt is easier to manage than 250 acres, especially when that number is getting bigger and equal to an area the size of Greater London. Saying that my workbench is 3 feet across is easier than giving that in cm although some tradies would smart...
But of course, being the all-round top bloke you are, this does not faze you, or want to make you think about the Barratt houses of Olde England...
Jun 19th 2009 | 9:07 pm
#24
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,948
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: The metric-system
Jun 19th 2009 | 9:09 pm
#25
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: A Former Bogan Colony in QLD
Re: The metric-system
Jun 19th 2009 | 11:14 pm
#26
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,555
Re: The metric-system
When I get excited about 9".
Jun 20th 2009 | 12:09 am
#29
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Re: The metric-system
Indeed, and of course, I was wrong if I implied that the working number should be smaller..for the distance you mention the larger no is more meaningful..
Jun 20th 2009 | 12:10 am
#30
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Re: The metric-system
I remember they used to sell carpets by the 0.83 of a sq metre.
