why is it difficult to convert miles to yards or feet

Not like the metric system where it is in powers of 10. It was based on strange things like:
http://www.iofm.net/community/kidscorner/maths/origin.htm

Converting miles to yards or feet can be a bit more challenging compared to the metric system because the Imperial system, used in the United States, is based on historical conventions rather than a standardized, decimal-based system like the metric system. The Imperial system originated from various units of measurement that were derived from more practical and everyday objects.

To convert miles to yards and feet, you need to understand the conversion factors involved. Here's how you can do it:

1. Understanding the conversion factors:
- 1 mile = 1,760 yards
- 1 yard = 3 feet

2. Converting miles to yards:
To convert miles to yards, multiply the number of miles by the conversion factor of 1,760. For example, if you have 2 miles, you would multiply 2 by 1,760, resulting in 3,520 yards.

3. Converting miles to feet:
To convert miles to feet, you need to convert the miles to yards first, and then convert the yards to feet. Since there are 3 feet in a yard, you can multiply the number of yards by 3 to get the equivalent in feet. Using the previous example, if you have 2 miles, which is equal to 3,520 yards, you would multiply 3,520 by 3, resulting in 10,560 feet.

So, in summary, converting miles to yards or feet involves specific conversion factors and multiple steps due to the historical origins of the Imperial system.