1. The Inch and How it is Built
3.05 BTS
The Inch and How it is Built

2. Skill, Precision and Reading the English Standard scale to a sixteenth of an inch.

3. is the standard small unit in the English Standard measuring system.
The Inch
is the standard small unit in the English Standard measuring system.
The inch is thought out in an common sense way that makes it easy to understand and use…
if you take a bit of time to learn about its parts.

4. uses only a few fractions.
The Inch
uses only a few fractions.
Some of the fractions NEVER appearing in the inch are:
1/3, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/9…

5. You probably know a lot about measuring already.
apply it here!
You probably know a lot about measuring already.
Mastering this measurement skill is not as hard as you might think.

6. The names of the fraction numbers are:
Lets make sure you remember some important fraction terms:
The names of the fraction numbers are:
Numerator
Denominator

7. Numerator: What is the NUMBER of the inch parts we are talking about?
This number is always an odd number. If it is an even number, REDUCE the fraction.

8. Denominator: This DENOTES the total number of parts in the fractional division.
The only denominator numbers are:
1, 2, 4, 8 and 16!

9. And now the star of our show:
The English Standard Inch.
And how the inch unit is divided!

10. The blue drawing represents a small part of an English Standard ruler graduated in inches.
We are looking at the ruler around the 27and 28 inch marks.

11. Whole inches are good for measuring many large things… but for most uses:
we need more precision!

12. Where is the common sense place to put a dividing line?
To get a higher degree of accuracy, we need to divide the whole inches into smaller parts.
Where is the common sense place to put a dividing line?
Precisely in the middle of the inch space!

13. This divides the space into two equal parts.
One Division
One Division
1/2
We need a fraction to indicate the middle division. Think of the line we have just drawn as 1 of the 2 divisions.
One half: one of the two divisions!
What is the name of this fraction line?
1/2

14. This is the common sense way inches are divided up to get more precision.
Empty measurement spaces are divided into two equal parts.
1/2
If both of the two division spaces are divided into two equal spaces, what will the total number of inch divisions be now? 4!

15. The names of the fraction lines are:
and
1/4
3/4
Where are the measurements located on the scale?
1/2
The two fractions represent: 1 of the 4 divisions and 3 of the 4 divisions.
The 2 of the 4 divisions line (2/4) is reduced!

16. More precise measurement is still needed.
Empty measurement spaces are still being divided into two equal parts.
1/4
3/4
How many total inch divisions are there now? 8

17. What are the fraction names of the new lines?
They are all 8ths…..
1/ / / /8
Have you noticed how all the fractions do not have even numbers for their numerators?
Measurement fractions with even numerators must be reduced!
Yes! (maybe)

18. We have arrived at the final division of spaces.
If we divide the 8ths into two… how many total divisions will we have?
1/ / / /8
16(whew!)
1/ / / /8
We better get out our high powered TECH GOGGLES to see them!

19. There are only 8- 16th measurements!
Here are the 16th lines
1/ / / /8
If we divide the 8ths into two… how many total divisions will we have?
16(whew!)
1/ / / /8
We better get out our high powered TECH GOGGLES to see them!
There are only 8- 16th measurements!

20. That isn’t so bad, once you understand it!
Here are the 16th Fractions:
1/16 3/ / /16 9/16 11/16 13/16 15/16
1/ / / /8
If we divide the 8ths into two… how many total divisions will we have?
16(whew!)
1/ / / /8
We better get out our high powered TECH GOGGLES to see them!
That isn’t so bad, once you understand it!

21. Lets look at a different English Standard ruler.
2 7
2 8
Lets look at a different English Standard ruler.
We are still looking at the 27 and 28 inches (“) area of the ruler.
It is read just like the one we have just learned about.

22. 2 7
2 8
The inch divided into sixteenths is one the standards of precision for the entire construction industry.
If you can measure sixteenths, you can build almost anything!

23. Can you identify the indicated measurements?
2 7
2 8
Can you identify the indicated measurements?

24. 2 7
2 8
Method 1: Remember (memorize) what the lines indicate and identify the measurement.
It is not difficult to memorize ALL 16 measurements if you try.

25. Here are the 16- inch measurement fractions:
1/16 3/ / / /16 11/16 13/16 15/16
1/ / / /8
2 7
2 8
¼ ¾
1/2
Here are the 16- inch measurement fractions:
As you use this skill, you will memorize the measurements without trying!

26.
2 7
2 8
Method 2: Count the number of lines from the whole line and make a fraction.
9/16 of an inch (9/16”), 9 of the 16.
This measurement is 27- 9/16” (inches)

27.
2 7
2 8
Here’s another: Count the number of lines, if the numerator is even, you must reduce the fraction!
10/16”, reduced to 5/8”.
This measurement is 27- 5/8” (inches)

28. 2 7 2 8 Did you get 27-½”? The skill continues:
2 7
2 8
The skill continues:
Did you get 27-½”?
Count the number of lines…
Make a fraction with the count number as numerator…. 16 is the denominator…
What is the answer?
Do you reduce?

29.
2 7
2 8
If you have started to memorize the lines, you knew this answer without all the counting work!

30. You are getting HOT now….
2 7
2 8
You are getting HOT now….
How about /16”?
Count again!
Make a fraction with the count number as numerator….
What is the answer?
Do you reduce?

31. Here is the last practice try:
2 7
2 8
Here is the last practice try:
How about 27-7/16”?
Look at the indicated measurement.
I’m not going to number this one for you!
Do you know it?
What is the answer?

32. 2 7 2 8 Reading measurements 100% of the time…
is an important skill to master.

33. Review:
There just 16 fractions used in this level of inch precision measurement.
It is an important skill to be able to accurately measure 100% of the time.
Technology depends on precise measurement to be able to do its many jobs.

34. 2 7
2 8
Have you earned a new skill?

35. How will you use it?