Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Metric System Solved!

Thanks to my Father-In-Law, I know understand where I was going wrong with the metric system. Turns out the doctors had it right and I was wrong. I know, I know - it doesn't happen often, but when it does I am big enough to admit it.

Here's where I went wrong:

Example: When I (ie. the computer) convert Natalie birth weight of 604 grams directly to pounds, I get 1.33 lbs. When I read that, I read 1 lb, 3.3 ounces. However, the .33 part is not ounces, it's .33 of a pound. Now, if pounds were in unites of 10 like the metric system, my initial reaction would have been correct. But, pounds, of course, are in units of 16. So, the .33 of a pounds has to be converted to ounces through a unit of 16. When you convert .33 pounds into ounces you get 5.28 ounces. So, that puts Natalie's birth weight at 1 lb 5.28 ounces. Just like the hospital said.

It sounds silly, but I'm really glad I understand it all now. It was really bugging me that the numbers weren't working out.

Thanks, Richard. Now, we now who's doing the math homework. I think I'll stick to the liberal arts like religion and history.

1 comment:

BenC said...

It sure won't be me doing the math homework...I stink at it too. Guess our girls are gonna have to get a very expensive MOM degree when they grow up. ;)