Because there have been so many differences in weights and measures used in different countries, an international system has been urged. One such system has been used by all countries of the world, it is the metric system.

　　This is a system worked out by a committee of scientists appointed in France in l789. The English-speaking countries are almost the only ones that do not use the metric system in their measures. However it is used in scientific work even in those countries.

　　The metric system is based on a measure of length called the “meter”. This is approximately (近似) one ten-millionth of the distance on the Earth’s surface from pole to equator, which is about 3937 miles.

　　The metric system is based on 10 as is our number system so that each unit of length is 10 times as large as the next smaller unit. There are square and cubic units for measuring area and volume which correspond to the units of length.

　　The unit of weight is the gram, which is the weight of a cubic centimeter of pure water. The liter is a measure used as the quart is used, but it is a little larger. The hectare, which is10, 000 square meters, is used as the acre in Britain, but is 2.471 acres. The metric system is more convenient to use than the English system because its plan is the same as that of our number system.

　　Here are some equivalents for the metric and English systems：one foot equals 0.305 meter; one inch equals 2.540 centimeters; one mile equals 1.609 kilometers; one quart(liquid)equals

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