MEASUREMENTS IN FRACTIONS OF AN INCH
By any fraction x/y (of any quantity or unit), we mean that the given quantity is divided first into 'y' equal, parts and then 'x' parts out of these will be x/y of that particular quantity. To measure fractions like 3/16", 6/16", 8/16", etc., an inch has to be first divided into 16 equal parts and then 3 parts will have a dimension equal to 3/16' and so on. The division of an inch into 16 equal parts is, usually available on most of the stales and directly we can measure the fractions by counting the number of divisions. Fractions like 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, etc, can be converted into fractions having a denominator equal to 16 by multiplying the numerator and the denominator by an appropriate number.
Fig. 2.7 Inch Divided into 10 and 16 Equal Parts
The measurements upto first decimal place can be measured from those scales where an inch is divided into 10 equal parts. For example, 0.3" means 3/10" or 3 parts out of 10 parts of an inch; if we measure a length equal to 3 small divisions from that inch which is divided into 10 equal parts, it will be 0.3".
