Definition:FPS/Length/Foot

This page is about foot in the context of linear measure. For other uses, see foot.

Definition

The foot is the FPS base unit and an imperial unit of length.

Conversion Factors

\(\ds \)

\(\)

\(\ds 1\)

foot

\(\ds \)

\(=\)

\(\ds 12\)

inches

\(\ds \)

\(=\)

\(\ds \dfrac 1 3\)

yard

\(\ds \)

\(=\)

\(\ds 30 \cdotp 48\)

centimetres

\(\quad\) (exact)

\(\ds \)

\(=\)

\(\ds 0 \cdotp 3048\)

metres

\(\quad\) (exact)

Symbol

The following symbols are in general use to denote a foot of linear measure:

Symbol: $\mathrm {ft} $

$\mathrm {ft}$

One of the symbols in general use for the foot is $\mathrm {ft}$.

Its $\LaTeX$ code is \mathrm {ft} .

Symbol: ${}^\prime$ and ${}^{\prime \prime}$

${}^\prime$ and ${}^{\prime \prime}$

One of the symbols in general use for feet and inches is ${}^{\prime}$ and ${}^{\prime \prime}$.

Thus, for example, $6$ feet $3$ inches is presented as:

$6^\prime \, 3^{\prime \prime}$

The $\LaTeX$ code for \(6^\prime \, 3^{\prime \prime}\) is 6^\prime \, 3^{\prime \prime}  or 6' \, 3' '.

Sources

• 1944: Alfred E. Holbrow: Geometrical Drawing (12th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Section $\text I$. Introduction
• 1964: D.E. Rutherford: Classical Mechanics (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$: Kinematics: $1$. Space and Time
• 1966: Isaac Asimov: Understanding Physics ... (previous) ... (next): $\text {I}$: Motion, Sound and Heat: Chapter $2$: Falling Bodies: Free Fall
• 1969: J.C. Anderson, D.M. Hum, B.G. Neal and J.H. Whitelaw: Data and Formulae for Engineering Students (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $1.$ Units and Abbreviations: $1.3$ British and other units
• 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): $12$
• 1997: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $12$
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): foot: 1.
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): foot: 1.