History of the English System In the past, common objects were
used for measurement Volume was determined by filling containers
with carob seeds This is why we call the size of a gem a carat 12
is the base number for the English System The number was decided by
the Romans
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History of the English System To determine different lengths,
the English system used body parts or handy objects One yard = the
distance from an adults shoulder to the fingertips on the opposite
outstretched arm One foot = the length of an adults foot One inch =
grains of barley laid end to end King Henry the VII established the
universal measurements used today
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Length Abbreviations in parentheses Units of Length Unit
Relation to other measurements 12 inches (in.)1 foot (ft) 3 feet
(ft)1 yard (yd) 36 inches (in.)1 yard (yd) 5,280 feet (ft)1 mile
(mi) 1,760 yards (yd)1 mile (mi)
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Capacity: the amount of liquid that can be held inside of a
defined space; also called volume
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More Volume Liquid is often measured using both the English and
Metric systems There are 231 cubic inches in 1 gallon English
System 4 quarts = 1 gallon 2 pints = 1 quart 2 cups = 1 pint
Slide 8
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Weight The English System uses pounds and ounces to measure
weight 1 pound (lb) = 16 (oz) 2000 pounds (lbs) = 1 ton (T) Pounds
and tons are used to weigh larger units
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Weight Continued Drams and grains measure smaller units 1 dram
= 27.34 grains 1 ounce = 16 drams Weight was originally based on
the weight of a grain of barley
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There are two types of measure for weight in the English System
Avoirdupois for everyday materials Troy for precious metals
Slide 12
Temperature The English System uses Fahrenheit for temperature
Named after Gabriel Fahrenheit Labeled as ____F United States is
one of few countries that uses the Fahrenheit system Others are
Belize, Burma and Liberia
Slide 13
Fahrenheit Conversions C = (F-32) 1.8 F = (C x 1.8) + 32
Freezing point = 32F Boiling point = 212F Body temperature =
98.6F