Decimalised

Decimalised refers to the process of converting a system, currency, or measurement into a decimal system. This means that the units are based on powers of ten, making calculations and conversions significantly simpler than with older, non-decimal systems.

Historically, many systems were not decimal. For example, pre-decimal currency often had complex relationships between pounds, shillings, and pence, with 12 pence in a shilling and 20 shillings in a pound. Similarly, measurements could be based on arbitrary units with no simple relationship, like feet, inches, and yards.

The move to decimalisation involves establishing a main unit and then dividing it into 100 or 1000 smaller units, each of which is a power of ten of the main unit. This uniformity drastically reduces the need for complex arithmetic and allows for easier comparison and calculation across different scales. Many countries decimalised their currencies throughout the 20th century, with notable examples including the United Kingdom in 1971. In science and engineering, the metric system, which is inherently decimalised, is the standard for measurements like length, mass, and volume. The widespread adoption of decimalised systems has facilitated international trade, scientific collaboration, and everyday transactions.