On 2005 Feb 8 , at 10:03 PM, Brenton wrote:
<x-tad-smaller>A hard conversion to 464 square metres implies a precise measurement.� Not only is this not practical, it is not even accurate when you consider that the original source of 5,000 square feet was only an approximation. A soft conversion of either 450 square metres or 500 square metres appears more logical."
</x-tad-smaller>
The way the terms "hard conversion" and "soft conversion" are usually used is not consistent with the way you used them.
Hard conversion means changing the actual size of the thing in order to make it a reasonably round metric value. Thus if an actual area were 5000 square feet then:
(a) a soft conversion would be to calculate that this was 464 square metres and then leave it at 464 square metres or round it reasonably to 460 or 450 or even 500 square metres; leaving the actual area alone;
whereas
(b) a hard conversion would be to calculate that 5000 square feet equals 464 square metres, then round off the number reasonably to 460 or 450 or even 500 and THEN CHANGE THE ACTUAL AREA so that it is 460 or 450 or 500 square metres.
The process of converting an approximate value or 5000 square feet to 464 square metres is a soft conversion whether you round it off or not. The difference between rounding or not is described as "rounded" vs. "unrounded" (or "approximate" vs. "exact"), not "soft" vs. "hard".
Regards,
Bill Hooper
Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA
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Go Metric America! Or get left behind!
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