Wood Technology & Processes

Reading a Ruler

Woodworking projects require the use of a ruler or steel tape to measure distance. Distances include width, length, height, or depth. A ruler is used for finding smaller distances. However, woodworkers usually prefer to use a steel tape. It is useful for measuring stock, setting up machinery, and finding the position of hardware. Inside measurements can be made accurately using the steel tape.

Distances are often measured to the nearest 1/16th of an inch. To find a distance, first measure to the nearest foot. From there, measure to the nearest inch, and then to the nearest 1/16". Reduce fractions of an inch to lowest terms. Lowest terms means that the numerator (top number) and the denominator (bottom number) cannot be divided by a common number. The fraction 6/8 is reduced to lowest terms, 3/4, by dividing the numerator and denominator by 2.

Practice Exercise

Follow these steps to determine distance A on the ruler above.

1.		The distance for A on the ruler is <a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/007894094x/300500/1_3.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (8.0K)</a>
			A)	4/8"
			B)	4/16"
			C)	1/2"
			D)	1/2'
2.		The distance for B on the same ruler is <a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/007894094x/300500/1_3.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (8.0K)</a>
			A)	2 3/8"
			B)	2 1/2"
			C)	2 5/16"
			D)	2 3/16"
3.		Before reducing to lowest terms, the distance for C on the ruler is <a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/007894094x/300500/1_3.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (8.0K)</a>
			A)	3/4"
			B)	3 3/4"
			C)	3 3/16"
			D)	3 12/16"
4.		Measure distance D in lowest terms. <a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/007894094x/300500/1_4.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (13.0K)</a>
			A)	46' 1/4"
			B)	3' 10 1/4"
			C)	3' 10 4/16"
			D)	4' 10 4/16"
5.		Find distance E and reduce the measurement to lowest terms. <a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/007894094x/300500/1_4.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (13.0K)</a>
			A)	42"
			B)	51"
			C)	4' 2''
			D)	4' 50''