Page 26 - DESIGN & MODELING

public safety. For example, civil engineers who design structures such as buildings and bridges
and mechanical and aerospace engineers who design vehicles such as cars, planes and spacecraft
must ensure that all measurements are accurate so that their finished designs function correctly
and safely.

Click the link below to download a printable ruler to practice at home! Be sure to turn off any
"shrink to fit" options when printing!

Printable Ruler

Download File

• Select the appropriate value from a conversion chart to convert between standard and metric
units.
• Convert between standard and metric measurements including inches, feet, yards,
millimeters, centimeters, and meters.
• Demonstrate the ability to measure accurately with different devices and scales using both
the standard and metric systems.
• Explain how to measure in different contexts.
• Describe the many ways in which measuring quantities is a part of daily life.

1. Suppose there were no units for measuring length. Hypothesize how lengths might be
described. Then discuss how measuring length would be different without inches.
2. Discuss why having a range of units for measuring length, such as inches and feet, to choose
from is necessary.
3. Why is accurate measurement not only important for engineers, but for all of us?
4. Why do you think it would be so hard for the United States to convert to the metric system?
5. Do you think it is in the United States best interest to overcome these difficulties? Why?
Why not?
6. Which system to you find easier and why?
7. Do you think it is confusing that the United States uses a different measuring system from
the rest of the world?
8. What kind of problems arise since the US is the only country not on the metric system?

25