Open AccessVII. A new determination of the ratio standard yard to the international prototype metre
Publication year - 1928
Publication title -
philosophical transactions of the royal society of london. series a, containing papers of a mathematical or physical character
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2053-9258
pISSN - 0264-3952
DOI - 10.1098/rsta.1928.0007
Subject(s) - yard , metre , mathematics , line (geometry) , engineering , geometry , physics , art , quantum mechanics , astronomy , literature , poetry
The method employed for the determination of the ratio involves the use of a subsidiary line standard which is specially graduated in main intervals of 1 1/8 inches. The graduations define a number of approximate yard and metre lengths, 32 main intervals being closely equivalent to one yard and 35 to one metre. The relative values of the yard and metre lengths can be determined by a calibration of the main intervals, while their absolute values are determinable by comparison with the corresponding primary standards or attested copies. The Paper describes how these determinations have been carried out and applied. They result in the following value of the ratio:- 1 metre = 39.370147 inches.