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Unit Conversion – American System

Unit conversion is an important aspect of calculation and evaluation as this conversion of units makes the complex equation simpler and easier to solve. Unit conversion is based on two systems of measurement, The American system of measurement and the metric system of measurement.

In the mathematical field of education, there are various numerical and equations that need to be simplified and solved. Each of these numerical equations consists of a measurement and the unit that defines the quality of that measurement. However, some equations are complex enough that they need simplification, for which the unit is converted from one class into another. This conversion requires a definite procedure, i.e., a general parameter, that needs to be met for the proper conversion from one unit to another. These parameters are termed the formula. For example, one metre is equal to 100 centimetres, etc. Moreover, the system of measurement is divided into two categories, the American system of measurement and the metric system of measurement.

WHAT IS A UNIT?

When it comes to measuring and analysis, a unit is said to be complete or whole of an entity, i.e., one of anything. However, a unit is a descriptive nature of any measurement, for example, considering 100 centimetres, which shows that an entity is in 100 amounts, whereas the unit centimetre explains that the entity is in the category of length. The unit measurement is used to define a standard quantity of any given physical quantity. The measurement units have a fixed value over a given physical quantity, and these are grouped in the category of length, weight, volume, and time. Each of these can have this specific unit of measurement, for example, Metres and miles for length, Grams and ounces for weight, Litre and gallon for volume, etc.

MEASUREMENT AND ITS TYPE:

The measurement is termed as the operation or analysis over a particular entity so as to figure out its quality, i.e., volume, capacity, etc. This measurement is correlated with the unit as the quality of an entity will be described by the unit of the measurement. In earlier times, the human body parts were used as a system of measurement. For example, a handspan, arm span, foot span, pace, etc. But as these human body parts differ from human to human, this system needs to be changed, and thus, this system if the unit measurement was dropped down and a new variety of metric system of measurement came into existence. Whereas, the system of measurement was divided into two groups. They are

  1. Metric system of measurement: This metric system of measurement came to be known as the international system of units, normally termed the SI system. The measurement used in the metric system of measurement includes metre, kilogram, seconds, etc.
  2. US standard System of measurements: The US Standard system of measurement basically came into existence under the category of US Imperial System of units. The units used in the US standard system management includes feet, inches, ounces, pounds, etc.

UNIT CONVERSION:

When it comes to the calculation and evaluation of any amount or any mathematical equation, the conversion of a unit is very much essential. The conversion of units makes an equation easier and simpler to figure out a solution. The conversion of the units basically depends upon the situation as well as the physical quantities. For example, If the length of a road is represented in centimetres or metres, it will be quite inconvenient. Therefore, the length of a road or a highway is measured in kilometres for the easement of the evaluation. However, the unit conversion is considered as a process of multiplication, division, etc., that is required to convert the measurements from one unit to another as per the standards of the numerical factor, as well as the conversion factors are taken into consideration. There are general parameters that need to be met while converting the measurement from one unit into another, i.e., converting the measured length of time or capacity or temperature. Each of these categories has its own standard parameters of conversion.

AMERICAN SYSTEM OF CONVERSION:

The American system of conversion was basically adopted in the year of 1832 access. Then it is the most widely used system of management in the US territories, along with the United States of America.

In the measurement of the length according to the American system of conversion, the units used are inches, feet, yards, miles, etc. Similarly, the measurement of the area will give out the unit of measurement as sq. inches, sq. feet, sq. yards, etc. One of the most common examples of the American system of conversion is the measurement of temperature. While measuring the temperature recorded in the American system, the unit used Fahrenheit. However, this unit of Fahrenheit needs to be converted into Celsius for the understanding of a majority of people. Therefore, the conversion requires a definite general parameter, which is termed as the conversion formula, like,

TABLE OF MEASUREMENT:

The following table shows the different units that are being used in the American system of conversion.

Category

Unit

Conversion

Length

3 feet

1-yard

Length

5280 feet

1 mile

Length

12 inches

1 foot

Weight

2000 pounds

1 ton

Weight

16 ounces

1 pound

Volume

2 cups

1 pint

Volume

2 pints

1 quart

Volume

4 quarts

1 gallon

Volume

8 ounces

1 cup

CONCLUSION:

When it comes to the calculation or finding out a solution for a mathematical equation, measurement, as well as the unit conversion, is the most important aspect. The measurement is the analysis of the quantity as well as the unit is considered to be the abbreviation of the measurement. The system of measurement is divided into two basic groups, the metric system of measurement and the US standard system of measurement. However, this system of measurement measures the quantity in the categories of length, weight, volume, temperature, time, etc. Each of these systems of measurement has a unit of conversion, which is based upon a definite formula, i.e., a general parameter which is required for the conversion from one unit to another.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the Railway Examination Preparation.

What are the units used in the American system of measurement?

Ans. The units used in the American system of measurements are inches, feet, pounds, ounces, etc.

What do you mean by unit conversion?

Ans. Conversion of units means converting a unit from one form to another unit form, for the simplification easement...Read full

What are the types of the system of measurement?

Ans. There are basic 2 types of systems of measurement. They are The American system of measurement and the Metric s...Read full

What is a unit?

Ans. A unit is defined as the descriptive representation of measurement, in order to determine the attribute of the ...Read full