Definition:Imperial/Length/International Mile

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Definition

The (international) mile is an imperial unit of length.


Conversion Factors

\(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds 1\) (international) mile
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds 8\) furlongs
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds 80\) chains
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds 320\) rods, poles or perches
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds 1760\) yards
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds 5280\) feet
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds 1609 \cdotp 344\) metres \(\quad\) (exact)


Also known as

An international mile is usually referred to just as a mile.

However, there are a number of different definitions for the mile, and they do not all specify the same distance.


The international mile is sometimes seen referred to as a statute mile, but this is an older term dating back to before the precise $1959$ definition based on the metre.


Historical Note

The international mile was a readjustment and redefinition in $1959$ of the statute mile.

The latter had been defined by statute in $1593$ under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Previously there were a number of different and variously-defined miles used throughout not only the world, but also the British Isles.


Sources

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