Encyclopedia > Chain

  Article Content

Chain

In set theory, a chain is a totally ordered subset of a partially ordered set.


A chain is a measurement of length equivalent to 22 yards (20.12 metres), which is one tenth of a furlong or one eightieth of a mile. It was used in surveying land in England and places under English influence, such as the United States, but is obsolete in many places. It is also called the surveyor's chain or Gunter's chain after 17th century mathematican and astronomer Edmund Gunter[?], who introduced it. The distance of 22 yards is the length of the pitch (from wicket to wicket) in cricket.

The engineer's chain or Ramden's chain of 100 feet (30.48m) was also used.

See also: U.S. customary units



All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

 
  Search Encyclopedia

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!
 
 
  
  Featured Article
Mayenne

...     Contents Mayenne Mayenne is a French département, number 53, named after the Mayenne River[?]. Préfecture (capital): ...

 
 
 
This page was created in 39 ms