1. Scale Reading Basics Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
Scale Reading Basics
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

2. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The English Scale
The English scale is an instrument that is used to measure linear distances. A typical English scale is made up of 12 inches.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

3. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
Scale Accuracy
The inch is fractioned into smaller increments. Usually, the smallest increment is 1/16th of an inch.
How big is 1/16th on an inch? You would need to stack about 16 sheets of paper to equal 1/16th of an inch.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

4. Two sheets of Paper stacked
Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
Common Items: Size Comparison
Paper Clip dia.
Two sheets of Paper stacked
Human hair dia.
Students can understand more when you relate to common objects.
1/32 inch
.031
1/256 inch
.003
1/128 inch
.008
Proportioned section diagrams
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

5. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The INCH
The divisions on an English scale are easily identified by different sized markings. The largest markings on the scale identify the inch.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

6. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The INCH
All subsequent sized markings can be found by taking half of the previous measurement. i.e., half of an inch = ½ inch
1/2
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

7. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The INCH
Half of a half = ¼ inch. An English scale shows ¼ inch and ¾ inch marks. All fractions must be reduced to lowest terms.
1/4
3/4
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

8. The INCH 1/8 3/8 5/8 7/8 Half of a quarter = 1/8 inch
Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The INCH
Half of a quarter = 1/8 inch
1/8
3/8
5/8
7/8
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

9. The INCH Half of an eighth = 1/16 inch 1/16 5/16 9/16 13/16 3/16 7/16
Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The INCH
Half of an eighth = 1/16 inch
1/16
5/16
9/16
13/16
3/16
7/16
11/16
15/16
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

10. Now Let’s practice Question 1: What is the distance of A?
Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
Now Let’s practice
Teacher will pass out Activity and have students answer questions. Go through the first problem with students.
Question 1: What is the distance of A?
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

11. What would be the metric answer? The Fractional answer is:
Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
What would be the metric answer?
The Fractional answer is:
.25 x 25.4= 6.35 or 6mm if rounding to the nearest mm.
6mm ¼”
Have students look at the decimal conversion to give you the decimal answer.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

12. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The Metric Scale
The metric scale is another instrument that is used to measure linear distances. A typical metric scale is made up of approximately 300 mm.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

13. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
Scale Accuracy
The metric scale is divided into very small increments called millimeters (mm). There are 25.4 mm in one inch.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

14. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The Millimeter
The millimeter is the smallest increment found on a typical metric scale.
1 mm
Revised lessons include Essential Questions that all students should be able to answer as a result of the lesson and completing the related activities. The Essential questions are related directly to the concepts and standards. The Key Terms are linked to Glossary and provide teacher and students with a ready source of information related to the lesson and activities.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

15. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The Millimeter
The next larger marking on a metric scale shows 5 millimeters.
5 mm
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

16. Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
The Millimeter
The largest markings on the metric scale represent centimeters (cm). These are the only marks that are actually numbered.
1 cm = 10 mm
Revised lessons include Essential Questions that all students should be able to answer as a result of the lesson and completing the related activities. The Essential questions are related directly to the concepts and standards. The Key Terms are linked to Glossary and provide teacher and students with a ready source of information related to the lesson and activities.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

17. Let’s Practice What would the answer be if converted to inches? ¾”
Scale Reading Basics
Introduction to Engineering DesignTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Measurement and Statistics
Let’s Practice
What would the answer be if converted to inches?
What is the metric answer for B ¾”
19mm
Have students give the decimal conversion after they have arrived at the fractional answer. Remind students that they are rounding for purposes of this activity.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007