This booklet is written for the non-technical person and is oriented around the needs of everyday life. The relative size of metric units of measure is illustrated through common and familiar ...objects. This informal approach provides an introduction to units of distance measure, volume, weight, and temperature in the metric system. Part II of this booklet relates some of the historical background of the metric system and presents the latest international recommendations that are not yet in use in many metric countries. Advantages and claimed disadvantages for or against the adoption of the metric system are reviewed and suggested teaching practices for those who want to help others learn the system are presented. (JP)
This study traces the development of nondecimal numeration from the 16th century to the present. The first six chapters detail the contributions of mathematicians as well as people from other fields. ...Applications to computers are covered in one chapter, while another chapter discusses the coverage of numeration systems in college textbooks for future elementary school teachers, in School Mathematics Study Group (SMSG) seventh grade materials, and in references for secondary school teachers. The final chapter consists of a chronology of important events in the development of numeration systems since 1500 A.D. There is a bibliography at the end of each chapter. (DT)
