This is the post excerpt.
Author: UK Metric Association
For a single, rational system of measurement
How can people’s behaviour be changed?
One of our regular contributors, Phil Hall, looks at the success of the recently-introduced plastic bag charge in England, and asks if there are lessons for the completion of the UK’s stalled metric changeover.
Why do we bother with metric?
A recent question put to UKMA via its web site contact form is one that comes up frequently. Some may consider this surprising as the debate has been going on for at least fifty years. Are we missing something?
Will Scotland keep the pound avoirdupois as well as the pound sterling?
What impact would Scottish independence (if it were to happen) have on weights and measures? Martin Vlietstra supplies an answer.
Continue reading “Will Scotland keep the pound avoirdupois as well as the pound sterling?”
Metrication of the rail network
Last October Network Rail announced that they will be phasing out miles, chains and yards on the British Rail network in favour of metric units. This has already been done on most, if not all Britain’s metro and tram systems while the dimensions of railway vehicles have been measured in metric units since the 1970s. Why this change of heart?
(Article contributed by Martin Vlietstra)
Should we forget fractions and only use decimal?
I am motivated to write this article because, in the past, I have come across supporters of metrication, some of whom with teaching experience, who say that only decimals should be taught rather than both fractions and decimals in elementary mathematics in school.
Continue reading “Should we forget fractions and only use decimal?”
Santa’s weighty problem
“Oh my goodness!” exclaimed Mrs Claus, as midnight approached on Christmas Eve. “I swear you put on more weight each year! You do give those reindeer a really hard time, you know.”
How should I say my height?
I am 1.79 m tall. But how should I say that? Continue reading “How should I say my height?”
