English system of measurement
Also called: Imperial system · Topic: Maps and Map Scale · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Map Scale"
Meaning
The English system of measurement uses miles, furlongs, yards, feet and inches. Its units do not go up in tens, so you have to remember each step: 1 mile = 8 furlongs, 1 furlong = 220 yards, 1 yard = 3 feet, and 1 foot = 12 inches. So 1 mile = 1,760 yards = 63,360 inches. The USA and the UK still use it. India used it until 1957, when it adopted the metric system.
Example
Older Survey of India maps made before 1957 used English scales such as "1 inch to 1 mile". As an RF, this is 1:63,360, because one mile holds 63,360 inches.
Don't confuse with
- Metric system of measurement: uses kilometres, metres and centimetres. Its units go up in tens, so it is easier to convert. India has used it since 1957.
Related concepts
- Map scale
- Statement of scale
- Graphical scale
- Representative fraction
- Metric system of measurement
- Conversion of scale