Thread: Distance and the British way of doing things

  1. #1
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    Distance and the British way of doing things

    From Yahoo news (AFP):
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...e_030712160637
    But organisers have been warning, as they do each year as numbers dwindle, that a low-show Saturday would mean a no-go for the parade next year.

    "It will be very hard for us if the participation drops below 500,000," said the head of the Love Parade, Fabian Lenz.

    " It would really be a shame if this was the last one," yells Helmut, who has travelled 600 kilometres (400 kilometers) with some colleagues just to be here for the weekend.
    So, we have a new system of measurement:
    3 kilometres == 2 kilometers. Imagine the possibilities. Travellers, 200 kilometres off course. Taxi drivers, 200 euros richer. And Deutsche male porn stars, significantly more endowed.



    And some people wonder why Americans use 'miles'...

  2. #2
    End Of Line Hammer's Avatar
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    >>And some people wonder why Americans use 'miles'...<<
    You say it like you're the only ones that do?
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  3. #3
    Registered User codingmaster's Avatar
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    wtf???

    600 kilometres=400 kilometers


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    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    "Significant roundoff error while multiplying by 0.999999999999999..."
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    carry on JaWiB's Avatar
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    >>And some people wonder why Americans use 'miles'...<<
    You say it like you're the only ones that do?
    Practically...I don't know which other (few) countries do, but I know there is at least one other...I think...
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    End Of Line Hammer's Avatar
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    http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/internat.htm

    Personally, I hate when people use km, I have no idea how they relate to miles. Yeah, I know, its a simply calc between the two, but miles is what I've used for like ever, and it's going to stay that way. I'm too stubborn to change.
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  7. #7
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    But why is there translation between the same units of measurement? (And why are they different?)

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    The American system was actually brought over from Britain. The foot was the actual length of a Kings food. A yard 3 of his feet. All I know on that subject.
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  9. #9
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    Length of his food, eh?

    I tend to think in nautical miles, which is outta sync with both systems anyways. Though, I much prefer kilometres to statute miles.
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  10. #10
    Rambling Man
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    Sorry if this is stating the obvious, but I think a kilometre is the same distance as a mile and a kilometer is simply a kilometer. B/c I was looking at my mph on my car the other day and when I'm going 60mph it converts to 40kph.

  11. #11
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    >>> I have no idea how they relate to miles.

    Doesn't the speed measuring dial in your car have both?
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  12. #12
    Pursuing knowledge confuted's Avatar
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    The speedometer in my car has both (except the one with the electronic display - it only displays one at a time, but can switch) However, American drivers don't even see those little numbers representing kph, because we never use them. I bet a lot of people don't even know what they are. ...I've only ever used them in Canada.
    Away.

  13. #13
    Just a Member ammar's Avatar
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    Originally posted by TechWins
    Sorry if this is stating the obvious, but I think a kilometre is the same distance as a mile and a kilometer is simply a kilometer. B/c I was looking at my mph on my car the other day and when I'm going 60mph it converts to 40kph.
    I think you are right, because 1 mile == 1.6 kilometers( almost )
    none...

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    >>And some people wonder why Americans use 'miles'...<<

    You say it like you're the only ones that do?
    We're the only ones that get crap for it.

  15. #15
    The Earth is not flat. Clyde's Avatar
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    The old British system is over-due for systematic extermination. Long live metric!

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