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Measurement and calculation
A number of measurements are taken on a regular basis in agricultural and horticultural enterprises. In Australia, the metric system is used for many of these measurements such as distance and weight. Once the measurements are taken, other quantities such as area and volume can be calculated.
The metric system is an international standard of measurement based on factors and multiples of ten. Follow the link below to Table 2. This table shows the relationship between distance, area, volume and weight in the metric system. Standard abbreviations are also included. You may like to print this information to keep as a handy reckoner.
Table 2: Common metric measurements
| Measurement | Unit | Abbreviation | Relationship to metre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | millimetre | mm | 1mm = 1/1000m = 0.001m |
| centimetre | cm | 1cm = 1/100m = 0.01m | |
| metre | m | ||
| kilometre | km | 1km = 1000 m | |
| Area | millimetres squared | mm² | 100mm² = 1cm² |
| centimetres squared | cm² | 10 000 cm² = 1m² | |
| metres squared | m² | 1m² = 1m × 1m | |
| hectare | ha | 1ha = 10 000m² | |
| Volume | millilitre | mL | 1mL = 1/1000L = 0.001L |
| litre | L | 1L = 1000cm³ | |
| megalitre | ML | 1ML = 1 million litres | |
| cubic centimetre | cc | 1cc = 1mL | |
| cubic metre | m³ | 1m³ = 1m × 1m & × 1m | |
| Weight | gram | g | 1g = weight of 1cm³ of water |
| kilogram | kg | 1kg = 1000g | |
| tonne | T | 1T = 1000kg |
Many measuring devices are preset in the factory where they are produced. The marks made on rulers, tape measures and containers are determined using standards kept for that purpose.
Other measuring instruments, such as weighing balances, may need to be calibrated before each use. This may be as simple as pressing a tare or zero button. In other cases a set of instructions may need to be followed to accurately calibrate the device.
Common measurements and calculations used in rural industries include:
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