What's with the tenth of a foot...?

[robertwells]

Does anyone describe any measurement in life to a tenth of a foot, rather than inches (I'm sure this is a dumb question, perhaps architects?). For something that is supposed to enhance conformity/accuracy, why is there a choice given in ANSI (1 foot 7 inches is 1.6 feet looking at my tenths side of my tape)? Im sure there is a good reason, but I am just curious...Thanks, Bob

 

[Charles West]

Tenths are easier to deal with. I used a Sokkia-Eslon tape that was graduated in tenths for about 30 years and never gave it a second thought.

 

[robertwells]

Tenths are easier to deal with. I used a Sokkia-Eslon tape that was graduated in tenths for about 30 years and never gave it a second thought.

Im not trying to be a smart aleck, but why are they "easier"? Just trying to learn

 

[Mejappz]

Someone at the GSEs has a foot fetish.

 

[JTip]

None of the houses I encounter or measure are built with 1/10 inch specs.

 

[WestMichiganCG]

If you give them an inch they think they're a ruler?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Math challenged appraisers have trouble with fractions and non-decimals because they don't multiply easily.

 

[DWiley]

Does anyone describe any measurement in life to a tenth of a foot, rather than inches (I'm sure this is a dumb question, perhaps architects?). For something that is supposed to enhance conformity/accuracy, why is there a choice given in ANSI (1 foot 7 inches is 1.6 feet looking at my tenths side of my tape)? Im sure there is a good reason, but I am just curious...Thanks, Bob

Maybe a regional thing, but across the country there are lots of appraisers for whom measuring to the tenth is not new. I first walked into an appraisal office 40 years ago, and from day one I was taught to measure to the tenth - not the inch.

 

[J Grant]

could it be because ANSI is meant for an international measurement, with some nations using tenths/ meters and in other nations inches/ feet?

 

[Andy Taylor]

To calculate the area/enter into a sketch program you would have to convert it to a decimal anyway. Used to drive me crazy doing my own sketch from blue prints and having to convert every dimension into tenths.