Do you find it odd that Australia "converted" to "metric" ?

Question

I found this in Yahoo Answers.

<<What is the equation for finding the amount of applied force for this example?

a160 pound object is moved from a falling object position and tossed backward thirtythree feet in 7/10 of a second...What is the equation to find the amount of applied force?

by Quasar Member

Using s = ut + 1/2 at^2,

33 = 0.5 a (0.7)^2

33 = 0.245a

So, acceleration a = 134.69 ft/s2

Thus, Force = Mass x acclrn = 160 x 134.69

= 21550.4 foot pound / s^2>>

People in Australia used to be able to calculate these problems. I bet they can't now, after "converting" to "metric".

I don't get it.

Answer 1

I think whats more of a surprise is that the USA still clings to it&#039;s Imperial measures, derived from and since abandoned in England and decries the Metric system, derived from France and taken up all over the world accept the USA.

Particularly when you consider that England and France, and then England and the English in &#039;America&#039; backed by France were at war for many years to see who would have the controlling interest there.

Remind me ... who won again?

And what language do they use in the USA??

Answer 2

Umm... ok but why would we WANT to calculate these problems?

I have better things to do than to stress about the fact that we converted metric DECADES ago, just so that I can calculate maths problems that would confuse the f**k out of me wether in metric or otherwise.

Answer 3

In australia the question would not be asked in pounds or feet.  There is no reason australians can&#039;t work this question out.  I&#039;m totally not getting into a metric vs imperial argument because I&#039;d obviously be arguing with an american.