Exploring Measurement Systems: Metric vs. Standard

What was the width of one finger known as in ancient Egyptian measurements?

• A cubit

• A span

• A digit

• A palm

What did the ancient Egyptians use to measure length most popularly?

• The distance from their elbow to the tip of their middle finger

• The span of their hand

• The length of their foot

• The width of their palm

Who was responsible for setting the standard measurements in ancient Egypt?

• The general public

• The mathematicians

• The high priests

• The Pharaoh

What is a disadvantage of the U.S. standard system of measurement?

• It is universally accepted

• Different size units often have no simple relationship to each other

• Units have simple relationships to each other

• It is too simple

How many feet are in a mile according to the U.S. standard system?

• 5,280

• 3,280

• 1,000

• 1,760

Why was the decimal system devised?

• Because the U.S. standard system was too easy

• To confuse mathematicians

• Due to the confusing assortment of measuring units

• To honor ancient traditions

What is the base of the decimal system?

• Tens

• Sixteens

• Twelves

• Hundreds

What does the original meter represent?

• 1000 steps of a soldier

• The height of the Great Pyramid

• 1/10 million of the distance from the North Pole to the equator

• The length of a king's arm

What system of measurement is most widely used for scientific work?

• The imperial system

• The metric system

• The ancient Egyptian system

• The U.S. standard system

How many meters are in a kilometer?

• 100

• 1000

• 10,000

• 100,000