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Metric
or Imperial
When should I use metric as opposed to imperial measurements?
Although the Canadian style is to use metric for most measurements,
there are a few exceptions, such as personal weights and
heights, two-by-fours, quarter-inch screws, some sports,
etc.
Example
A three-kilogram packet costs $4.
She is 5 feet 8 inches tall. (Always use numbers rather than
words for dimensions, sizes and temperature readings.)
Normally, when you are using measurements, spell out terms
such as foot, hundredweight, kilogram, and metre.
Some common terms — mm, m.p.h., c.c., km/h — may
be used when mentioning them a second time. The only exception
is C (for Celsius), which can be used on first reference.
Example
The temperature was 40 C.
Use this style for imperial abbreviations, both singular
and plural:
Example
Her golf drives are normally 250 yd. long.
There are no abbreviations in metric, only symbols. Therefore,
use this style for metric measurements, both singular and
plural:
Notice: There
are no periods in these symbols – only
for the end of a sentence.
The boardroom is 6 m x 10 m. (Technical usage)
The boardroom is 6 x 10 m. (General usage)
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