| Chapter 14: Units |

| 14.15. Making the verb "to weigh"

We have already created new verbs: for instance, in the previous chapter we set up a verb "to love", which was such that we could say "A loves B" for people A and B. Suppose we want a verb "to weigh", in the sense of "the lead pig weighs 45kg". This is not like "to love", because it relates something tangible (the lead pig) to something intangible (45kg). So its creation looks a little different:

> The verb to weigh (it weighs, they weigh, it is weighing) implies the weight property.

Our previous verb definitions ended "implies the ... relation", rather than "implies the ... property", but otherwise the idea is the same. The effect is that we can say things like:

> A thing usually weighs 1kg. The lead pig weighs 45kg.
> something weighing 20kg
> if three things weigh 5kg, ...

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| Example Dimensions This example draws together the previous snippets into a working implementation of the weighbridge.

The following is not a very sophisticated approach, because it does not allow for weight to accumulate: if we put a gold ingot into a paper bag, then put the bag on the balance platform, only the bag's weight will register. But it will do for a first try. "Dimensions" A length is a kind of value. 10m specifies a length. An area is a kind of value. 10 sq m specifies an area. A length times a length specifies an area. A weight is a kind of value. 10kg specifies a weight. Everything has a weight. The verb to weigh (it weighs, they weigh, it is weighing) implies the weight property. A thing usually weighs 1kg. Definition: A thing is light if its weight is 3kg or less. Definition: A thing is heavy if its weight is 10kg or more. The Weighbridge is a room. A blackboard is in the Weighbridge. "A blackboard propped against one wall reads: '122/10 is [122 divided by 10] remainder [remainder after dividing 122 by 10]; 122kg/10kg is [122kg divided by 10kg] remainder [remainder after dividing 122kg by 10kg]; 122kg/10 is [122kg divided by 10] remainder [remainder after dividing 122kg by 10].'" The blackboard weighs 10kg. A feather and a lead pig are in the Weighbridge. The lead pig weighs 45kg. The balance platform is a supporter in the Weighbridge. "The balance platform is 10m by 8m, giving it an area of [10m multiplied by 8m], currently weighing [the list of things on the platform]. The scale alongside reads: [total weight of things on the platform]. [if two things are on the platform]Average weight is: [the total weight of things on the platform divided by the number of things on the platform]. Heaviest item is [the heaviest thing on the platform], at [weight of the heaviest thing on the platform]. Lightest item is [the lightest thing on the platform], at [weight of the lightest thing on the platform].[otherwise]It seems to be able to weigh several things at once." Test me with "get feather / put it on platform / look / get pig / put it on platform / look".

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| Example Lead Cuts Paper To give every container a breaking strain, that is, a maximum weight of contents which it can bear - so that to put the lead pig into a paper bag invites disaster.

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