Maths & Measurements

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run the tape at an angle across the board until a whole number that is evenly divisible touches the other side of the board. Then simply divide it by the whole number.
For example, a 3 3/8″ board that you want to divide into 4 equal pieces.
Run the tape at an angle until it reads 8″. Then simply make a mark every 2 “. You now have 4 equal sized pieces. No need for fractions.

That works well until we need to calculate for the kerf .

mathmonger said: 

As the Mathmonger, I should chime in on this. The answer to the original question is no. Not every measurement can be broken down into perfect sixteenths.

The tick marks on a measuring tape are made by repeatedly cutting an inch in half. So they tend to play nice with 2’s, but you are dividing by 10, which is 2×5. That 5 is the problem.

ChatGPT gave you the correct answer, but you want a mixed number instead of an improper fraction. 723/80 is the same as 9 3/80. You will never find that on a measuring tape.

plus thanks … as I love direct response / concise repsonse to answer along wtih all addition kind values of words from all but when you say “the answer to question … that I love as i always phrase questions with an outcome of yes or no to come back as in this day and age (not here in forum) but in this day and age you can never get someone to answer straight” so thanks and of course thanks to all too.

jeffnc said: 

People in this country literally think 1/4 is bigger than 1/3 – and then they wonder why they can’t do math with fractions.

Not just your country.
This morning I was trying to buy a rubber walking cane tip for a family member. It’s an oddball size 9/16″, but a half inch rubber would likely fit. But a half inch rubber tip is not very common either.
So I go to the mobility store and ask for a 1/2″ rubber tip. She shows me a 3/4″ tip. I say “3/4″ – not a chance”. She asks “so you need bigger or smaller ?”