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measuring units - What is the meaning of "one-half meter"?


I have found this phrase that as a non-native English speaker perplexes me:



...returning images with a resolution of up to one-half meter per pixel.



The possible meanings of "one-half" to me are:



  • Every pixel represents half a meter

  • Every pixel represents one and a half (1.5) meters

  • Every pixel may represent any possible distance between the minimum of half a meter and the maximum of one meter

  • Something entirely different


Can you please explain?


N.B. Is it


one and a half meter


OR


one and a half meters ?



Answer



To me (a British English native) the expression is unambiguous in meaning:



0.5 metre per pixel [UK metre = US meter]
i.e. one-half of a metre per pixel



In answer to your N.B., the plural form would be:



one and a half metres (or meters)
1.5 metres (or meters)



Addendum:
Additionally, also note that the resolution is "up to one-half meter per pixel", so the resolution may be less than 0.5m per pixel, but no lower resolution limit is specified.


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