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Why does the US use the metric system less than other countries?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
This is actually two separate questions:
1) Why is the metric system used almost everywhere in the world?
Because it makes more sense than other systems. It's really just as arbitrary as any other measuring system, but it has one big thing going for it, and that's that converting between different units of measure is usually trivial since it's based on powers of ten (with the exception that time units are the same horrible conversion nightmare as always, being the same old 60/60/24/quasi-random number near 30/12 ratio).
2) Why is it not used in the US?
There are two main reasons.
One is that a lot of existing machinery was based on the "English" system, and retooling would have cost a lot... the US being one of the few industrial economies in the world that DIDN'T have to rebuild much of its manufacturing capability after World War II anyway.
The second reason is that the US government, being of the people, is frequently stupid and attempted to "ease into" the metric system instead of just saying "Listen up, you jerks, this is the new measuring system, USE IT NOW." Which resulted in having to learn lots of fiddly conversion rules instead of just dealing with the new system and getting used to it, and as a result people think the metric system is "complicated," when in fact it was just the procedure to convert to units they (thought they) understood that was complicated.
Concrete example: one of the few things that did switch was soda. (Because the plastic soda bottle was developed. Companies needed new bottle manufacturing equipment anyway. Might as well conform to the rest of the world; for one thing, it means a bigger market for your plastic bottles.) You probably don't know off the top of your head how many ounces two liters are, and you (and this is the important bit) most likely don't care. You know how much soda two liters of soda is, because you've been buying it that way long enough to get used to it.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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How do the US use the metric system?
both imperial and metric system is used but scientist use the metric system the most.the metric system is also called the international system also known as the SI unit.
How if a housewife with a recipe that uses the units of pound and ounce to measure weight of ingredients and needs to buy them in a shop that sells goods measured in metric system?
She needs to use the metric system. Unless she happens to be less intelligent than the majority of people across the world who are competently using metric measures. She needs to use the metric system. Unless she happens to be less intelligent than the majority of people across the world who are competently using metric measures. She needs to use the metric system. Unless she happens to be less intelligent than the majority of people across the world who are competently using metric measures. She needs to use the metric system. Unless she happens to be less intelligent than the majority of people across the world who are competently using metric measures.
Should America be changed to the metric system?
Of course. Most of the world is using the metric system. Only the US and two other countries use the empirical system which were based observation and experience rather than scientific feasibility. Also metric system is easy to convert and less confusing.
What are three countries that dont use the metric system?
Myanmar(Burma), Liberia, and the U.S.A.
In the metric system what does a quart equal?
A quart is a measure of volume, not weight. A liter would be the metric equivalent of a quart in terms of volume. If it's weight you're looking for, the basic unit of mass in the metric system is the gram.
How do the US use the metric system?
both imperial and metric system is used but scientist use the metric system the most.the metric system is also called the international system also known as the SI unit.
Why do scientists prefer Metric units over the English System?
Apart from a couple of less advanced countries and (including?!) the US, all countries use the metric system. Since it is based on multiples of tens, calculations are simpler. Also, there are simpler links between measures for different attributes, for example between mass and volume.
How if a housewife with a recipe that uses the units of pound and ounce to measure weight of ingredients and needs to buy them in a shop that sells goods measured in metric system?
She needs to use the metric system. Unless she happens to be less intelligent than the majority of people across the world who are competently using metric measures. She needs to use the metric system. Unless she happens to be less intelligent than the majority of people across the world who are competently using metric measures. She needs to use the metric system. Unless she happens to be less intelligent than the majority of people across the world who are competently using metric measures. She needs to use the metric system. Unless she happens to be less intelligent than the majority of people across the world who are competently using metric measures.
Should America be changed to the metric system?
Of course. Most of the world is using the metric system. Only the US and two other countries use the empirical system which were based observation and experience rather than scientific feasibility. Also metric system is easy to convert and less confusing.
Did the alliance system make war more or less likely?
Some Countries Signed An Agreement With Each Other & Some Countries Came Stronger Because Of Alliances
What are three countries that dont use the metric system?
Myanmar(Burma), Liberia, and the U.S.A.
In the metric system what does a quart equal?
A quart is a measure of volume, not weight. A liter would be the metric equivalent of a quart in terms of volume. If it's weight you're looking for, the basic unit of mass in the metric system is the gram.
Is Fahrenheit in the metric system regarding science?
No, temperature is measured in kelvin, or in less technical cases degrees Celsius.
Should the government use the metric system more or less?
The issue with changing to the Metric system is money. When they have tried to convert before it had costed billions of dollars just to convert 2 states. it would be nice if we were all using the same system because it would save conversion time and make less mistakes but i doubt this will ever happen.
Why does almost every country have the metric system?
Because its very very easy to use and learn, its all counted in 10s. 10 mm=1 cm -> 10cm=1 dm -> 10dm= 1 m and alike.
What are the four advantages to the American system of measurement?
The metric system is the international system of measurement. It was designed with several goals in mind. Neutral and universal Any laboratory can make a model of the base units. Starting with length, the meter was determined by the distance between two lines of latitude. This can be measured at any location on earth with the proper instruments. Once the length is established, a cube can be constructed that is 1/10 km on each edge. The volume of this cube is the liter. Everyone has access to water, so fill this cube with water and you have a kilogram of weight at 3.98 degrees celsius. Oh, yes, you also had to develop a thermometer by dividing the difference between water's freezing and boiling points into 100 equal parts. Decimal multiples The metric system is decimal. The next larger unit is always 10 times as large, the next smaller always 1/10 as large. You don't have to remember 12 inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, are there four pints in a quart or only two, etc. To convert, simply move the decimal point. Prefixes All derived units use a common set of prefixes for each multiple. "Kilo" means 1000 whether it is used both for mass (kilogram) or length (kilometre). A few units such as the tonne (megagram) and quintal (100 kilograms) survive from old units but have been rounded to metric. The prefixes which come from the Greek language (kilo, mega, giga) are multipliers and those with Latin origins (centi, milli) are divisors.Here are a number advantages of the metric system and its measures.Why is the metric system easier than Imperial? The most frequently given answers include:1…Because metric is simple and consistent. There is only one meter and one kilometer and one liter..Unlike the mile (3 miles, international mile, US Survey mile, nautical mile.) and two gallons (Imperial gallon and US gallon) metric is simple and less confusing, fewer errors, less cost.2…Because it dramatically reduces conversion factors in calculations. Less time doing calculations, fewer errors, less wastage in material and time, less cost.3…Because metric prefix's enable whole numbers only. Avoiding decimal fractions and missinteruptation and errors.4…Because metric offers units from very large to very small.5…Because metric dimensions are easier to divide by three.6…Because it has links between related measurements.7…Because it uses logical symbols.8..Because it is the only properly maintained system.9..Because practically everyone uses it. For more than 95% of the world population, the metric system is the customary system of units, and for more than half of the industrialized world, it has been for at least a century.AlsoI beleive that the metric system is better than Imperial measures because..The metric system is a system.The metric system is the only measurement method ever developed as a complete system. All previous attempts used random developments at different places, at different times, and for different purposes.The metric system is universal.The metric system has been gradually adopted by all of the world's people. Despite often-vigorous opposition, the metric system has always been successful.The metric system is coherent.Because the metric system was developed as a complete system, it was possible to design it so that it has an internal consistency. Its internal coherence means that if you learn one part of the metric system you can easily extend your knowledge to all other parts.The metric system is capable.All crafts, trades, and professions can successfully use the metric system. Although the structure of the metric system is quite simple, it can be used in every human activity.The metric system is equitable.The metric system is fair and just to all who use it.The metric system is simple.The metric system uses only 7 base units and 22 units with special names - 29 units in all. There are now only 20 old measures left that are non-SI units currently accepted for use with the International System.The metric system is supported.International treaties and research keep the metric system modern and forward looking.The metric system is fundamental.The metric system is the only system used internationally. It is now fundamental to all measurements, both old and new.The metric system is unique.The metric system is unique because: it was planned; it is decimal; it has prefixes; and it is human in scale. It is unique because there has never been a measuring system like it.The metric system is legal.Legislation in every country in the world supports the metric system. It is often the sole method of measurement recognised by governments. International agreements also support the metric system so that contracts written in metric units have validity across international borders.
Why should Americans care about economic situation outside of your country?
Because the United States economy is tied with economies from all around the world and it's been like that for many, many years. The United States relies on imports from other countries; if other countries produce less, we get less, and our prices go up. We also rely heavily on other countries for our exports; if other countries buy less, we sell less, and make less money to invest in imports.
