Do American schools teach math using imperial units or metric units? like when solving math problems do you use metric , imperial or both?

8 comments

1. At my school, we were taught both. In science we usually used metric. Math was usually imperial, but we used metric from time to time.

2. We don’t use imperial.

   We use US Customary Units which are technically based on metric standards. They are slightly different than imperial.

   But both metric and US Customary are used in school.

3. Both / either. In science we tend to use metric. In math units really don’t matter unless there’s multiple different types of units in the problem, and then converting units is easy. As long as you label your units properly in your answer it’s all good.

4. We learned both systems but all of our scientific measurements, math problems, things like that were almost all metric. The only exceptions being everyday things that Americans wouldn’t actually use the metric system for. For example we would use m/s or km/hr for velocity in physics problems, but if the problem was about a car on the highway it would make sense to use mph instead. We also learn about conversions, so going between the two systems isn’t as intimidating as it might sound if you’re only used to using one. I graduated high school in 2016, for reference.

5. We use two systems of measurement and Imperial isn’t one of them.

   I don’t remember the system of measurement being much of a factor in mathematics. It was more of a thing in physics and chemistry. In math, 5 + 5 is always 10, no matter if you’re measuring nanometers, miles, or light years.

6. In math classes, US units may be part of the question but it doesn’t really matter which units are being used for something like that.

   In sciences, metric is used.

   In NYC schools at least, Customary units are referred to as “non-standard” units.

   For the most part, we (Americans) aren’t taught our customary units in school beyond basics.. we absorb them culturally (as well as use them for things like carpentry, cooking, product descriptions, distances between places, etc)

   ——

   We are for sure made aware of SI and Americans are really good about using metric for international communication.. I’ve never heard of Americans doing business internationally and insisting upon using feet and pounds and gallons

   (Assuming the communication matters.. like business or science.. on Reddit and whatnot? It doesn’t matter.. most Americans will still speak in Customary units in cases like this.. in part, I think, because it’s funny to watch foreigners get so easily triggered by hearing a word such as “inch” or a temp in °F)

7. We do learn metric as well, but if it’s a story or everyday-type math problem we’re probably going to be dealing in mph or ft/in. Science math is more likely to be metric.

8. Yes, in school we learn metric and U.S. Customary units, we don’t use imperial. Americans know the metric system, we use it in science fields. For everyday stuff we use US Customary