American System vs Metric System Why do we

American System vs. Metric System Why do we have two? By: Jenna Merriman and Kristen Merwarth

American vs. Metric System Prior to 1793 each country used their own form of measurement. The length of an “inch” would vary from town to town. It was necessary to create a standardized form of measurement, which is why the metric system was created. The United States did not adopt this system, although much effort has been put forth to try to get the United States to adopt the metric system. This would create a standardize form of measurement throughout the world. There is a lack of public interest in the United States, which is why we have not adopted the metric system. The people of the United States are satisfied with the American system, although it creates difficulty when selling products from one country to another because of the inconsistency in the measurement systems. Due to this the United States has started to include metric measurements, as well as American measurements, on goods that are commonly sold out of the country.

~*Questions*~ 1. Why do we have two systems the metric and our American system? 2. When were they developed? 3. Why are they different?

Why do we have two systems the metric and our American system? There are two different systems of measurement, the metric and our American system because initially every town had their own form of measurement. Many times the measurements would be exclusive to the job. However, the metric system was created to initiate standardization. The United States is not the only country that did not adopt the metric system. The United States created their own system of standardization about a hundred years after the metric system was created, which is very different from the metric system.

When were they developed? American System o o Created in 1892 1893 – US legally adopted the yard and pound Metric System o o Created in 1793 First standardized measurement system created throughout the world

Why are they different? American o o o Created in 1892 Contains fractions Familiar to people of the United States Convenient for cooking Convenient for purchasing bottled beverages Variety of base numbers n n n 2 for volume 3 and 12 for length 5820 feet/mile Metric o o o Created in 1793 First standardized system Few units to memorize Uses prefixes for conversions Simply move the decimal point Based on 10

Pictures of Forms of Measurement

Standards o Standard 6 n o Interconnectedness: Common themes – students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply themes to these and other areas of learning. Key Idea 2 n Models are simplified representations of objects, structures, or systems.

Example o o Students are required to understand that the different systems represent a unit of measure Allows students to create a relationship between the different measurements

Standards o Standard 1 n o Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design as appropriate, to post questions, seek answers and develop solutions. Key Idea 2 n Beyond the use of reasoning and consensus, scientific inquiry involves the testing of proposed explanations involving the use of conventional techniques and procedures and usually requires considerable ingenuity.

Example o Students have to go beyond their own reasoning and develop a thorough understanding through research

Standards o Standard 6 n o Interconnectedness: Common themes – students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply themes to these and other areas of learning. Key Idea 3 n The grouping of magnitudes of size, time, frequency and pressures of other units of measurement into a series of relative order provides a useful way to deal with the immense range and the changes in scale that affect the behavior and design of systems.

Example o o Requires students to develop a relationship between the two different systems Allows the students to recognize the similarities and differences between the two systems

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