Question

Which units do you prefer to use when performing calculations, American units or metric units? Why? Describe some advantages and disadvantages to both unit systems.

Answer 1

Metric is definitely better for calculations, because you will always get an accurate answer, and it’s much easier to do the math. With Imperial you need to round to the 1/16 and it’s a real pain. Science and Math should always be done in Metric units.Thus metric units is more preferable than imoeriim units.

advantage and disadvantage of metric units are-

Advantages:

1. It's truly a world standard, unlike the current American system. Using the metric system allows for consistency and ease of communication by sharing that same unit of measure.

2. Everything is in tens, which makes it easier to multiply and divide.

3. It has a simple, logical naming system. There is a single unit and a standard set of prefixes, so you have (to use a small sample): a gram, milligram, kilogram. Litre, millilitre, kilolitre. Metre, millimetre, kilometre.

Disadvantages:

1. If you're in the US, it's going to cost money to switch: stores will have to chuck their old weighs and measurements and purchase new; truck scales will have to change their systems, fuel stations.... the impact to industry is non-trivial and that costs moolah.

2. Metric units may not be convenient, as we think of them, for everyday use. Imagine ordering a pint of beer - "I'll have 568ml!" you might call in the UK, whereas when ordering from a barkeep in the US of A, you'd call for a cool 473ml. Unless you're drinking an IPA, in which case it wouldn't be that cool. But it's okay, it's meant to be consumed that way. In my opinion, we'd likely still keep the colloquial reference, and not care too much. (Some would care, but the rest of us would be drinking, and would drown them out.)

Disadvantages of Imperial measurements..

1...Some Imperial units can have more than one value. The US survey mile is different from the International mile, which is different from the nautical mile. The US gallon is different from the UK gallon.
2...Imperial measures, have no consistent value for its units. For example.. 12 inches is 1 foot, 3 feet is 1 yard, 1760 yards is 1 mile...12, 3, 1760 are inconsistent.
3...Imperial measures uses a number of units to measure one measure. For example..5368 mm ( in metric only, one unit, millimeter is used) but the same length in Imperial would use 4 units,... 5 yards, 2 feet, 7 inches, and 5/16". Using 4 units is more complex and confusing.
4... Imperial measures do not have any units to measure very large measurements or very small measurements.
5...Imperial measures does not have any consistent links between related measures of linear length, weight/mass, and volume.. It is not a system.
6...Imperial measures do not have consistent symbols. For example the inch has two symbols instead of one. The symbol for the inch can be.. in ..or ".
7...Imperial measures were never planned but were forced on the people of Britain by invaders (Anglo Saxons and Romans).
8...Worldwide Imperial measurements have become redundant, and have been overtaken by metric.