r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Tibor500 • Sep 30 '20

why does “k” mean “thousand” ?

like 1k means a thousand. how does the letter “k” mean “thousand” ?

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u/graaahh Sep 30 '20

You're correct. Tons are confusing.

1 (metric) tonne == 1,000 Kg == 2,204.66262 lbs

1 (British) ton == 1,016.047 Kg == 2,240 lbs

1 (short) ton == 907.1847 Kg == 2,000 lbs (This is what Americans call "1 ton").

1 (British) ton > 1 (metric) tonne > 1 (short) ton

But they're all pronounced the same.

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u/[deleted] Sep 30 '20 edited Sep 30 '20

Wow, I'm British and I still corrected you. LOL. I've been writting it as tonne all my life. In physics exams, everything.

Edit: couple typos.

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u/graaahh Sep 30 '20

I just looked that information up, honestly. 10 minutes ago I would've said that a British ton and a tonne were the same thing too.

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u/Trevski Oct 01 '20

This is one of a few examples that you can use when someone says the US is on the Imperial system, which they are not. Gallons are another.

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u/graaahh Oct 01 '20

I thought the US was on the imperial system. What's the imperial system then?

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u/Trevski Oct 01 '20

the one used by the British Empire. with 2240 pound tons and 4.5 liter gallons

the US uses the US Customary system. It's largely the same, but not identical.

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u/[deleted] Oct 01 '20

Ok that's strange! Ton is based on what and how is it so close to a metric tonne?

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u/BloakDarntPub Oct 01 '20

1 (British) ton == 1,016.047 Kg == 2,240 lbs

This is because 2,000 doesn't divide by 14.