Representation of units with abbreviations

In summary, the conversation revolves around the standard for representing units and when to include a period after the abbreviation. The general rule is that abbreviations for metric units do not end in periods, but abbreviations for other units, except those with "per," do. It is also convention to include units in parentheses when labeling graphs.
  • #1
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Homework Statement



I just now came to the realization that I don't know the standard for representing units. When do I include "." after the abbreviation and when do I not? Thanks.

For example
mi. or mi
m or m.
yr. or yr

What's the rule? I'm sure there's got to be some general rule to apply to all units instead of memorizing weather or not to use it or not for each unit.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
Abbreviations for metric units don't end in periods, but abbreviations for everything else, except those with "per," (such as mph) do.
Who knows why...
 
  • #3
hm thanks... one last question about units
 
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  • #4
What's the convention for units on graphs like if you wanted to include units on a axis?
I remember in elementary school they always told us
Time (m)
would it be improper to just do
Time m
without putting the units in "()"?
 
  • #5
Well I'm not absolutely sure on this one. But I think it is convention to put the units in parentheses...it's a sort of side note, so it should be in parentheses. It would look wrong to have it without.
 
  • #6
amy andrews said:
Abbreviations for metric units don't end in periods, but abbreviations for everything else, except those with "per," (such as mph) do.
Who knows why...

Wow. new thing to learn.
 

FAQ: Representation of units with abbreviations

What are the commonly used abbreviations for units of measurement?

The most commonly used abbreviations for units of measurement include: cm (centimeter), kg (kilogram), mm (millimeter), m (meter), g (gram), L (liter), mph (miles per hour), and ft (feet).

Why are abbreviations used for units of measurement?

Abbreviations are used for units of measurement to save time and space when writing or speaking about measurements. They also make it easier to write out complex calculations and measurements in a concise manner.

How do you properly use abbreviations for units of measurement?

When using abbreviations for units of measurement, it is important to follow proper formatting guidelines. The abbreviation should be written in lowercase letters with no periods, and it should be placed directly after the numerical value. For example, 4.5 cm or 10 kg.

Are there any exceptions to using abbreviations for units of measurement?

Yes, there are some exceptions to using abbreviations for units of measurement. For example, the unit of time "hours" is typically abbreviated as "hrs" instead of "h" to avoid confusion with the symbol for "height". Additionally, some units of measurement have multiple accepted abbreviations, such as "pound" which can be abbreviated as "lb" or "lbs".

How can using incorrect abbreviations for units of measurement impact scientific data?

Using incorrect abbreviations for units of measurement can lead to errors in scientific data. For example, using "ml" (milliliters) instead of "mL" (milliliters) can result in a difference of 1000 times in measurement. This can greatly affect the accuracy and reliability of scientific data and experiments.

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