Math With Metrics: Convert With Confidence
By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM
Are you able to convert with confidence? How many feet are in a yard? How many cups of coffee are in a gallon? How do you calculate the right amount of distance from your screens to the front row in a ballroom?
Chances are you know some of these answers, but you may not know all of them. What would happen if you were asked how many meters are in a foot or how many cups of coffee are in a liter? You get the point.
When traveling abroad, the language changes even when English is spoken. Cars drive on the “wrong” side of the street, Euros replace dollars, warm drinks replace frosty beer and so on. The real humdinger is making metric conversions.
The United States is one of only three countries in the world that does not use the metric system (the others, “Jeopardy!” fans, are Liberia and Myanmar). Any lack of global knowledge appears front and center when we don’t know whether a restaurant two kilometers from the hotel is within walking distance or if a ballroom with an 8-meter ceiling is tall enough to accommodate our stage set.
Convert With Confidence
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I know, I learned metric conversions in the seventh grade. I recall it being incredibly easy, given that it’s based on multiples of 10.
I know that a bit of memorization had me reciting the conversions, and I know I haven’t had much occasion to use that knowledge since. Then, I planned an event in Europe.
I also know, now, that I don’t remember much of what I learned.
Sound familiar? Here’s a quick brush-up lesson. You’ll find it incredibly useful to know, even if you’re just speaking to international vendors on the phone.
Knowledge is liberating. Go forth and convert with confidence!
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