![]() ![]() ![]() The smallest division, 1/ 16 of a digit, was equal to 1/ 448 part of a royal cubit. Thus, measurement could be made to digit fractions with any denominator from 2 through 16. The next digit was divided into 15 parts, and so on, to the 28th digit, which was divided into 2 equal parts. The 14th digit on a cubit stick was marked off into 16 equal parts. Twenty-four digits, or six palms, were a small cubit. Sixteen digits, or four palms, made one t’ser. Fourteen digits, or one-half a cubit, equaled a large span. Twelve digits, or three palms, equaled a small span. The basic subunit was the digit, doubtlessly a finger’s breadth, of which there were 28 in the royal cubit. The royal cubit (524 mm or 20.62 inches) was subdivided in an extraordinarily complicated way. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Early units and standards Ancient Mediterranean systemsīody measurements and common natural items probably provided the most convenient bases for early linear measurements early weight units may have derived casually from the use of certain stones or containers or from determinations of what a person or animal could lift or haul. Two types of measurement systems are distinguished historically: an evolutionary system, such as the British Imperial, which grew more or less haphazardly out of custom, and a planned system, such as the International System of Units (SI Système Internationale d’Unités), in universal use by the world’s scientific community and by most nations. A standard is the physical embodiment of a unit, such as the platinum-iridium cylinder kept by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at Paris as the standard kilogram. A unit is the name of a quantity, such as kilogram or pound. Uniformity, the essence of any system of weights and measures, requires accurate, reliable standards of mass and length and agreed-on units. The last three are, of course, closely related.īasic to the whole idea of weights and measures are the concepts of uniformity, units, and standards. Although the concept of weights and measures today includes such factors as temperature, luminosity, pressure, and electric current, it once consisted of only four basic measurements: mass ( weight), distance or length, area, and volume (liquid or grain measure). Measurement system, any of the systems used in the process of associating numbers with physical quantities and phenomena. SpaceNext50 Britannica presents SpaceNext50, From the race to the Moon to space stewardship, we explore a wide range of subjects that feed our curiosity about space!.Learn about the major environmental problems facing our planet and what can be done about them! Saving Earth Britannica Presents Earth’s To-Do List for the 21st Century.Britannica Beyond We’ve created a new place where questions are at the center of learning.100 Women Britannica celebrates the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, highlighting suffragists and history-making politicians.COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.Britannica Classics Check out these retro videos from Encyclopedia Britannica’s archives.Britannica Explains In these videos, Britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |