Is it pointless to learn unit conversions
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Is it pointless to learn unit conversions

[From: ] [author: ] [Date: 12-01-07] [Hit: ]
That person will gain the answer with a calculator before it can be looked up or computed after consulting Google.Its interesting how youthful cashiers at the Supermarkets are amazed when an older person computes the expected change in their head and tells the cashier the correct amount before it rings up.-It is never pointless to learn how to think.What happens when you go to take a test and your calculator battery dies on you?I have had some instructors make up their own set of units just to test whether or not students had the analytical ability to convert.I had another teacher whose favorite unit of speed on tests was furlongs per fortnight.......
Why do I need to if anyone can calculate it with a converter on the internet?

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Although it is true that in general the unit conversion process is simple to accomplish today, knowing "how to" convert should be learned. And certain "often used" conversions {depending on UR occupation} will be memorized. That person will gain the answer with a calculator before it can be looked up or computed after consulting Google.

Similar effect:
It's interesting how youthful cashiers at the Supermarkets are amazed when an older person computes the expected change in their head and tells the cashier the correct amount before it rings up.

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It is never pointless to learn how to think.

What happens when you go to take a test and your calculator battery dies on you?

I have had some instructors make up their own set of units just to test whether or not students had the analytical ability to convert.

I had another teacher whose favorite unit of speed on tests was "furlongs per fortnight."
The problem might be stated in metric or imperial units, but your answer had to be in furlongs per fortnight!

As per Jim...
I am amazed that most cashiers these days do not know how to count out change!

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So you don't look like an idiot when someone asks you something like how many inches are in 3 yards?

The answer is 108 by the way.

Yeah if you get a job where you regularly need to do this, you'll have the computer to aid you. I agree. Thats also like asking "Why do we need to learn history if it is all written in books and on the web?" Everything is avaliable by books and the web. That doesn't mean we can just skip school for our entire lives.

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You need to do it so that you develop the ability to reason quantitatively.

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when the time comes who will make the converters if nobody knows the conversion factor?
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