Let's start with something simple: distance on a human scale, say the height of a person, the width of a window opening, the height of a room, the depth of a cupboard. I'm 1.85m tall, how would you express this height? Unit converters say 6.07ft or 72.83in. I guess you would say 6ft 1in. Is this right?
75% (6) | yes | |
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25% (2) | no - I'd say: |
8 voters have answered this question.
Now suppose you want to fit a rack exactly into your basement which has a height of 2.55m (8.366ft or 100.4in). One inch is still a quite rough measure then. How would you express this?
62% (5) | I would use cm, as in the DIY store they use cm anyway (happened to me in Britain). | |
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12% (1) | 8ft 0.4in | |
0% (0) | 100.4in | |
12% (1) | 100 1/2in or 8ft 1/2in | |
25% (2) | 100 1/3in or 8ft 1/3in (which is pretty exact, and your rack would definitely fit) | |
12% (1) | 100 5/12in or 8ft 5/12in (which is as exact as you can measure with a tape measure) | |
37% (3) | I would say: |
8 voters have answered this question.
Would you ever use the measures "barleycorn" (1/3 inch) or "line" (1/12 inch) in real life?
87% (7) | no | |
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12% (1) | yes (please specify which and when) |
8 voters have answered this question.
Now to slightly larger scale: 59m (64.52yd or 193.6ft). Which of the following would you consider using according to what is measured and which precision is needed?
25% (2) | 64 1/2yd | |
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0% (0) | 64yd, 2ft | |
0% (0) | 64yd 1 1/2ft | |
25% (2) | 194ft | |
12% (1) | 193 1/2ft | |
50% (4) | 193ft 7in | |
25% (2) | 64yd 1ft 7in | |
37% (3) | I would say: |
8 voters have answered this question.
Let's go a little bit larger: 1400m (0.87mi or 1530yd). Which of the following would you consider using?
37% (3) | 1530yd | |
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75% (6) | 7/8mi | |
0% (0) | 10/12mi | |
37% (3) | 5/6mi | |
0% (0) | 1/2mi 650yd | |
0% (0) | 2/3mi 340yd | |
0% (0) | 3/4mi 210yd | |
0% (0) | 5/6mi 60yd | |
0% (0) | 6/8mi 210yd | |
0% (0) | 10/12mi 60yd | |
25% (2) | other |
8 voters have answered this question.
Let's go to distances over a mile: 3.8km (2.4mi or 4200yd). Which of the following would you consider using?
75% (6) | 2.4mi | |
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25% (2) | 4200yd | |
25% (2) | 2 1/2mi | |
12% (1) | 2 1/3mi | |
0% (0) | 2 1/4mi | |
12% (1) | 2 3/8mi | |
0% (0) | 2 4/12mi | |
0% (0) | 2mi 600yd | |
25% (2) | I'd use |
8 voters have answered this question.
Now to areas: Are square yards ever used?
62% (5) | yes | |
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0% (0) | no, we go directly from square foot to squares (100 square ft) | |
12% (1) | no, we go directly from square foot to acres ( 43 560 square ft) | |
25% (2) | no, we use another intermediate measure |
8 voters have answered this question.
Are "squares" (100 square ft or 11 1/9 square yd) ever used?
25% (2) | yes | |
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75% (6) | no, not really - we rather use |
8 voters have answered this question.
Now to small volumes 20ml (or 2cl or 20ccm as you like), that is 0.70 fl oz (UK) or 0.68fl oz (US). Which of the following would you rather use?
57% (4) | 0.70 or 0.68 fl oz (depending on location) | |
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28% (2) | 7/10 fl oz | |
28% (2) | 2/3 fl oz | |
0% (0) | 3/4 fl oz | |
0% (0) | 8/12 fl oz | |
0% (0) | 17/24 fl oz (UK) or 16/24 fl oz (US) | |
57% (4) | other |
7 voters have answered this question.
Now to larger volumes: 26l (or 26cdm as you like), that is 5.7gal or 915fl oz (UK) or 6.9gal or 880fl oz (US). Which ones would you consider using?
71% (5) | 5.7gal or 6.9gal (depending on location) | |
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0% (0) | 915fl oz or 880fl oz (depending on location) | |
28% (2) | 5 3/4gal or 6 3/4gal (depending on location) | |
14% (1) | 5gal 115fl oz or 6gal 112 fl oz (depending on location) | |
14% (1) | other |
7 voters have answered this question.
Now to weights. My weight is 86kg, that is 13.5st or 190lb (same for UK and US). How would you express that?
42% (3) | 13 1/2 st | |
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42% (3) | 190 lb | |
57% (4) | 13st 8lb (that is definitely the British way, I believe) | |
28% (2) | other |
7 voters have answered this question.
smaller weights: 2.35kg (or 2,350g as you like), that is 5.18lb or 82.9oz. Which one would you consider using?
28% (2) | 5.18lb | |
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0% (0) | 82.9oz | |
42% (3) | 5 1/4lb | |
0% (0) | 82 11/12oz | |
0% (0) | 82 21/24oz | |
85% (6) | 5lb 3oz | |
0% (0) | 5lb 2 11/12oz | |
0% (0) | 5lb 2 21/24oz | |
14% (1) | other? |
7 voters have answered this question.
For now, that is it. Many thanks for your participation. There might be a follow up poll to this one. I now only have some last questions for you. To which of the following do you agree?
87% (7) | The metric system is easier then the Anglo-saxon ones. | |
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37% (3) | Anglo-saxon systems are not more complicated than the metric system if you are used to it. | |
62% (5) | Using Anglo-saxon systems is good from a didactic point of view. You learn how to deal with fractions and other multipliers than 10. | |
25% (2) | Using Anglo saxon systems is good for teaching arithmetic, but it's pointless as most people can't deal properly with numbers anyway. | |
37% (3) | My country should adopt the metric system as soon as possible | |
37% (3) | My country should adopt the metric system in a smooth process, perhaps over 20 years and only where it's practical - I mean: you don't have to switch from drinking pints to half litres, as it is always exactly one or a half. | |
12% (1) | Although the metric system is more practical, a switch would only confuse people. I'm against it. | |
0% (0) | Although the metric system is more practical, a switch would cost too much money. I'm against it. | |
50% (4) | More practical or not, either works, so there is no need for a switch. | |
0% (0) | Creationism is more popular in the US than in any other country, and in the UK more than in the rest of Europe. There is probably a common root between sticking to irrational beliefs and sticking to impractical measures. | |
12% (1) | Practical or not, it's good to preserve traditions and heritage. I would strongly oppose a switch (hard or soft) if the parliament decided to go for it. | |
25% (2) | Any comments you like to make? Your email if you want to get notified of any follow-up poll? I would also appreciate any comment in the message area. |
8 voters have answered this question.