what happened to basic math?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
I filled out a job application once where they had a part with converting fractions to decimal equiv., reading calipers, micrometers......pointing out dimensions on a tape measure, etc...... While I was there, a hat on sideways, 20something kid came in and asked for a application, he glanced thru it and came to the measurement part, looked confused, tossed the app. on the table, turned and walked out in disgust.............I guess that wasn't on the curriculum at his high school.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,247
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From: Chino Valley, Arizona
good thing I don't coach soccer anymore! I always told the kids that being second isn't ok! it is just the first looser.we went the entire season un defeated and all the kids played and all had a great time, also had 100% support from the parents.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
Great points about the use of computerized cash register and the ability to make the correct change that the machine tells you to make.
In HS, I took two years of Algebra and one year of Geometry. I used to complain and ask how this will benefit me in the future.
Well, through my Navy / Coast Guard career sailing on small ships and submarines, I had to learn to figure the volume of a refrigerated space, storage tank, room or void for food supplies. Loading the correct amount of food is as much about the storage facilities as it is about the menu.
Likewise, these mathmatical questions would always appear on a servicewide exam for promotion.
Both of my gorls are math aces, both are struggling on the common sense department.
Tim
In HS, I took two years of Algebra and one year of Geometry. I used to complain and ask how this will benefit me in the future.
Well, through my Navy / Coast Guard career sailing on small ships and submarines, I had to learn to figure the volume of a refrigerated space, storage tank, room or void for food supplies. Loading the correct amount of food is as much about the storage facilities as it is about the menu.
Likewise, these mathmatical questions would always appear on a servicewide exam for promotion.
Both of my gorls are math aces, both are struggling on the common sense department.
Tim
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
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From: Rhode Island
Funny thing, they wanted us to know metric cause that is what scientist uses and its easier than converting from standard to metric. Saves the scientist time.
I say fine let the scientist use it, why should the whole world use it just because thats what the scientist wants. Either way up until 2006 when i graduated highschool, not once were we ever forced to learn the metric system. From working on cars i got a good idea if its a 8mm, 9mm, or 10mm bolt which seems to be the most common I see. But I typically use the standard sockets and their in order from 1/4" all the way up to 11/13" i belive it is might be 11/15" cant remember been too long since ive used that stocket.
I say fine let the scientist use it, why should the whole world use it just because thats what the scientist wants. Either way up until 2006 when i graduated highschool, not once were we ever forced to learn the metric system. From working on cars i got a good idea if its a 8mm, 9mm, or 10mm bolt which seems to be the most common I see. But I typically use the standard sockets and their in order from 1/4" all the way up to 11/13" i belive it is might be 11/15" cant remember been too long since ive used that stocket.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
^^^LoL^^^
Even Paupa New Guinea have switched over!..
No one remembers the mars probes NASA lost because Lockheed/Martin used american terms and the onboard inertial guidance system directed them past the planet?
CNN - Metric mishap caused loss of NASA orbiter - September 30, 1999
"Despite hostility to making the metric system the official U.S. system of weights and measures, its use was authorized in 1866. The United States also became a signatory to the Metric Convention of 1875, and received copies of the International Prototype Meter and the International Prototype Kilogram in 1890. In 1893 the Office of Weights and Measures announced that the prototype meter and kilogram would be recognized as fundamental standards from which customary units, the yard and the pound, would be derived."
So, what happened???
Even Paupa New Guinea have switched over!..
No one remembers the mars probes NASA lost because Lockheed/Martin used american terms and the onboard inertial guidance system directed them past the planet?
CNN - Metric mishap caused loss of NASA orbiter - September 30, 1999
"Despite hostility to making the metric system the official U.S. system of weights and measures, its use was authorized in 1866. The United States also became a signatory to the Metric Convention of 1875, and received copies of the International Prototype Meter and the International Prototype Kilogram in 1890. In 1893 the Office of Weights and Measures announced that the prototype meter and kilogram would be recognized as fundamental standards from which customary units, the yard and the pound, would be derived."
So, what happened???
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
Why should we use a system foisted upon us by a foreign power that spilled the blood of Americans in two wars, and burned government buildings, held prisoners under terrible conditions, and took money out of the country for their own uses?
That system would be the English system, of course.
If we can't do anything else, could we at least have cars and other equipment built with one or the other, not both?
That system would be the English system, of course.
If we can't do anything else, could we at least have cars and other equipment built with one or the other, not both?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,589
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
What could be easier than that?
***In a PURE mathematical sense....Yes, the power of 10 in the metric system has the advantage........This has NOTHING to do with resistance to the metric system. The fact is, folks in the U.S. just plain relate to what a gallon constitutes.......or an inch........or a foot........etc., etc., etc........So while centimeters, meters, kilometers, etc. can be 'figured'....they are not so easily visualized in the real world......(of the U.S.)
Make the same argument with driving. So far as I know, most countries drive on the 'left' side of the road......And arguments could be made about how effing more efficient and better and natural it is to do so.........But try to pass a law here in the U.S. to do it (not to mention turning traffic lanes, signals, etc. on their heads), and see how that would work.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
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From: McKenzie River
I already use the metric system................5.56 x 45mm, 9x19mm, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm
I think its a high caliber success!
I think its a high caliber success!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,589
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From: Charlotte, NC
Good one, Dave. I just can't see needing to fill up the gas container for the mowers and such, and sending your kid over to the Zippy Mart to put 18.92 liters of petrol into the tank......(that's 5-gallons, BTW....) 
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
Jeez, I have a hard enough time mixing gas for my weed wacker. How many cc's to the liter is gonna make it 50:1 and how I'm gonna do that in my head with the pump reading in gallons with a hangover?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rhode Island
12" = 1'..........3' = 1 yard.........16oz = 1lb........2000lb = 1 ton........2 pts = 1 qt......4 qt = 1 gallon........128fl oz = 1 gallon
What could be easier than that?
***In a PURE mathematical sense....Yes, the power of 10 in the metric system has the advantage........This has NOTHING to do with resistance to the metric system. The fact is, folks in the U.S. just plain relate to what a gallon constitutes.......or an inch........or a foot........etc., etc., etc........So while centimeters, meters, kilometers, etc. can be 'figured'....they are not so easily visualized in the real world......(of the U.S.)
Make the same argument with driving. So far as I know, most countries drive on the 'left' side of the road......And arguments could be made about how effing more efficient and better and natural it is to do so.........But try to pass a law here in the U.S. to do it (not to mention turning traffic lanes, signals, etc. on their heads), and see how that would work.
What could be easier than that?
***In a PURE mathematical sense....Yes, the power of 10 in the metric system has the advantage........This has NOTHING to do with resistance to the metric system. The fact is, folks in the U.S. just plain relate to what a gallon constitutes.......or an inch........or a foot........etc., etc., etc........So while centimeters, meters, kilometers, etc. can be 'figured'....they are not so easily visualized in the real world......(of the U.S.)
Make the same argument with driving. So far as I know, most countries drive on the 'left' side of the road......And arguments could be made about how effing more efficient and better and natural it is to do so.........But try to pass a law here in the U.S. to do it (not to mention turning traffic lanes, signals, etc. on their heads), and see how that would work.
Here is the thing though, Canada successfully converted to the metric system, and their culture and way of thinking is not all that different then ours. England also successfully converted not much after Canada.
If/when it does ever happened, it has to be phased in gradually. I doubt anyone will accept it very well if everything gets switched over instantly.
Ah, the beauty of the metric system. 1000cc's in a liter, so 50cc's of oil per 1 liter of gas. You don't even have to think!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Houston
No, metric is what everyone else in the entire world uses, not just scientist - only 3 countries in the entire world do not use the Metric system, the USA, Burma and Liberia. The metric system is just plain better, only have to multi or divide by 10 (just move the decimal point left or right essentially), and the units are often related, making conversions easier as well. Ex. 1mL is the same as 1cm^3
Well then that is just one more thing to add to the wrong **** the school system taught us all. The schools is what told us that is why we have to learn metric was for the scientist. I do know the metric is more precise but my issue is I know standard and why should we confrom and be like other countries when we want other countries to be democratic like we are. Its just baffling. Either way its no big deal to me, I have gotten fairly good with telling which mm socket I need for a part but I still use my standard cause god knows their mixed on cars. Seen one bracket on a new car with 3 different size bolts. two were standard and one was metric.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,958
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From: Houston
lol I know not all democratic countires use the standard system. Point im just saying is why change it. We have used the standard system for so long why change it. Goes back to the old saying dont mess with something if it works. I would think it would be hard for alot to do away with standard and go strict metric. then the schools dont really teach the metric system I mean I was never forced to learn the metric system. Our school work never included the metric system. But we were told in the early - mid 90`s that we need to because were going to switch to the metric with my generation basically since its easier to teach the metric and then switch when all know it. But in the end its no big deal to me I like the standard and I dont see where metric would be any more percise than I need to be. I have calipers and mics that measure down to 0.0001". That is accurate enough for me and the projects I do.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
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From: Rhode Island
The metric system gets taught heavily in modern science classes.
The metric system is not more precise, precision and accuracy is a function of the tools used to take said measurements, not a function of the system being used. The metric system is supposed to be easier and simpler to use - which it is. It is a base-10 system. Everything is done in 10s, making it extremely easy to do conversions and other things, since you basically just have to shift decimal points left or right.
EDIT: I realized I made a goof in post #26, its not 50cc/1L, its 20cc/1L
50:1 ratio, 50L:1L, move the decimal point over to the left once, 5L : 0.1L (100cc/mL), move it over again, 0.5L : 0.01L(10cc/mL), multiply it by two, and you get 20cc of oil for every liter of gas.
The metric system is not more precise, precision and accuracy is a function of the tools used to take said measurements, not a function of the system being used. The metric system is supposed to be easier and simpler to use - which it is. It is a base-10 system. Everything is done in 10s, making it extremely easy to do conversions and other things, since you basically just have to shift decimal points left or right.
EDIT: I realized I made a goof in post #26, its not 50cc/1L, its 20cc/1L
50:1 ratio, 50L:1L, move the decimal point over to the left once, 5L : 0.1L (100cc/mL), move it over again, 0.5L : 0.01L(10cc/mL), multiply it by two, and you get 20cc of oil for every liter of gas.