Chapter 11: Q1Q (page 292)
What are the merits and drawbacks of using a person鈥檚 foot as a standard? Consider both (a) a particular person鈥檚 foot and (b) any person鈥檚 foot. Keep in mind that it is advantageous that fundamental standards be accessible (easy to compare to), invariable (do not change), indestructible and reproducible.
Short Answer
a).
When we use a person鈥檚 foot as a standard, it has both merits and demerits.
A person鈥檚 foot is easy to reproduce for measurement. However, if that person dies or suffers from any illness, it may vary the foot size or even destroy the standard.
b).
When we use any person's foot as a standard, it has both merits and demerits. A standard unit that is in the form of a person's foot can be easily accessed. However, variations in foot sizes can make it difficult to be used as a standard and reproduce.