Mile: Difference between revisions
imported>Milton Beychok m (Added a link) |
imported>Tom F Walker (mentioned imperial system, continued use in UK/US, 1760 yards) |
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The '''mile''' is a unit of distance measure in the [[U.S. customary units|United States customary system of measures]]. The mile, abbreviated ''mi.'', is 5280 [[foot (measure)|feet]] long, or exactly 1609.344 [[metre|m]]. | The '''mile''' is a unit of distance measure in the [[U.S. customary units|United States customary system of measures]] and in the Imperial System of Units. The mile, abbreviated ''mi.'', is 5280 [[foot (measure)|feet]] long, or exactly 1609.344 [[metre|m]]. | ||
The mile derives originally from the Roman ''mille passuum'', or "thousand paces". Countries and cultures influenced by the Romans have had a variety of measures called "mile" of similar lengths. The mile is subdivided into 8 ''furlongs'', a unit which has largely passed out of use except in horse-racing. The ''league'' was either 3 miles or 6 miles. | The mile derives originally from the Roman ''mille passuum'', or "thousand paces". Countries and cultures influenced by the Romans have had a variety of measures called "mile" of similar lengths. The mile is subdivided into 8 ''furlongs'', a unit which has largely passed out of use except in horse-racing. The ''league'' was either 3 miles or 6 miles. | ||
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The mile most commonly referred to is the '''statute mile'''. There is also a ''nautical mile'', originally defined as the distance of one [[minute of arc]] along a [[meridian]], and now defined as 1852m exactly, about 6076.1155 feet. | The mile most commonly referred to is the '''statute mile'''. There is also a ''nautical mile'', originally defined as the distance of one [[minute of arc]] along a [[meridian]], and now defined as 1852m exactly, about 6076.1155 feet. | ||
The mile is used today in the [[United States]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. Both countries continue to use it in official capacities, especially in transport. In some other countries, such as [[Australia]] and the [[Republic of Ireland]], the mile continues to be used unofficially by members of the general public. | |||
;The (statute) mile in relation to other units | ;The (statute) mile in relation to other units | ||
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| 1 mile | | 1 mile | ||
| 80 [[chain (measure)|(surveyor's) chain]] | | 80 [[chain (measure)|(surveyor's) chain]] | ||
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| 1 mile | |||
| 1760 [[yard]]s | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 1 mile | | 1 mile | ||
Revision as of 04:20, 19 January 2009
The mile is a unit of distance measure in the United States customary system of measures and in the Imperial System of Units. The mile, abbreviated mi., is 5280 feet long, or exactly 1609.344 m.
The mile derives originally from the Roman mille passuum, or "thousand paces". Countries and cultures influenced by the Romans have had a variety of measures called "mile" of similar lengths. The mile is subdivided into 8 furlongs, a unit which has largely passed out of use except in horse-racing. The league was either 3 miles or 6 miles.
The mile most commonly referred to is the statute mile. There is also a nautical mile, originally defined as the distance of one minute of arc along a meridian, and now defined as 1852m exactly, about 6076.1155 feet.
The mile is used today in the United States and the United Kingdom. Both countries continue to use it in official capacities, especially in transport. In some other countries, such as Australia and the Republic of Ireland, the mile continues to be used unofficially by members of the general public.
- The (statute) mile in relation to other units
| 1 mile | 1.609 344 kilometre |
| 1 mile | 8 furlongs |
| 1 mile | 80 (surveyor's) chain |
| 1 mile | 1760 yards |
| 1 mile | 1609.344 metres |
| 1 mile | 5280 feet |
| 1 mile | 63 360 inches |