The ruler it is one of the most common measuring instruments. It is available in various shapes and sizes based on the use for which it was designed. There line is nothing more than a long 90 or 100 cm ruler, while the tape measure it is a similar instrument that falls into the category of tape measure and can be made of cloth or metal. Although the appearance at first glance is different, these tools are used essentially in the same way. In Italy, the scale shown on the rulers is of the metric decimal type, although there are double scales (metric and Anglo-Saxon). Knowing the differences between these scales is important; this article describes the various types of rulers and similar tools, how to use them and read the detections.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Recognizing the Different Types of Rulers
Step 1. Understand what a ruler is
It is a flat stick on the edge of which a measurement scale is drawn.
- It can be made of plastic, metal, cardboard or fabric and the signs that define the unit of measurement are traced along the edge.
- The unit of measurement can be metric (millimeters or centimeters) or Anglo-Saxon (inches).
- In the United States and England, a typical school ruler is 12 inches (30 cm) long, which is one foot. In Italy there is no standard size, but elementary or middle school children generally use a 30 cm ruler.
Step 2. Recognize a measuring tape
This is usually a soft fabric tape on which the measurement scale is printed, usually in centimeters and millimeters.
- The measuring tape can be wrapped around a person's torso to measure their chest, waist, neckline, or other body parts to make tailored suits.
- It is also used to measure lengths, such as crotch height and sleeves.
- When you have to measure a three-dimensional object with a curved profile, the tailor's tape measure is the ideal tool.
Step 3. Recognize a foldable tape measure
This is a measuring instrument used extensively in the construction sector, 200 cm long, and which can be folded so that it can be conveniently slipped into a pocket or tool belt.
- It is sometimes referred to as a "mason's yardstick".
- Generally it consists of 5-8 20 cm segments, but there are many models on the market.
- The metric scale follows and the sensitivity is one millimeter.
Step 4. Get a tape measure and watch it
This instrument, also called a tape measure, is mostly made of metal or flexible fiberglass.
- Inside the box there is a spring that allows the tape to rewind on itself.
- There are also tape measures 100 m long and they are rewound by hand, in this case we speak of measuring wheels.
- Most of the tape measures sold in Italy report only the units of the metric system.
Step 5. Recognize an architect's triangular line
This is not a real measuring instrument, but it allows you to represent distances according to a certain scale.
- This "ruler" has marks that represent the scale ratio.
- For example: "1 cm equals 1 meter".
- It is used to accurately draw scale projects and floor plans.
Method 2 of 4: Read an Anglo-Saxon System Ruler
Step 1. Learn how the standard Anglo-Saxon system works
This is based on the inches and feet.
- The thumb is the reference unit for the Anglo-Saxon system.
- There are 12 inches in one foot.
- Most school rulers are 12 inches.
- The long, 3-foot (36-inch) rulers measure one yard.
- Most non-Anglo-Saxon countries no longer use these units and prefer the metric system.
Step 2. Find the thumb lines on the ruler
These are large lines next to numbers.
- The distance between two consecutive large lines is one inch.
- Most school rulers measure 12 inches at a time.
- Since you want to get very accurate measurements, you don't have to just know the thumb lines.
Step 3. Find the lines indicating fractions of an inch
These determine the fractions of an inch and help you be as accurate as possible.
- The smaller lines you find inside those of the inches represent 1/16 of an inch.
- The slightly larger ones indicate eighths of an inch.
- The larger ones, in succession, result in ¼ of an inch.
- Larger unnumbered lines midway between two consecutive inch lines indicate half an inch.
- To know precisely the length of an object you have to find the fraction of an inch that comes closest to its real size.
Method 3 of 4: Read a Ruler with Decimal Metric System
Step 1. Learn the logic of metric units
In Italy the metric system is used based on the concept of meter and its multiples and submultiples.
- The unit of measurement is the meter, which corresponds, albeit inaccurately, to a yard.
- In rulers, the centimeter is mainly used, a submultiple of the meter.
- In one meter there are 100 centimeters.
Step 2. Find the centimeter lines on the ruler
They are longer than the others and have a number just below.
- One centimeter is smaller than one inch. In each inch there are 2.54 centimeters.
- The distance between two consecutive centimeter lines is one centimeter.
- Most school rulers are 30 centimeters.
- The drawing lines are 100 centimeters long.
- The symbol for centimeters is cm.
Step 3. Learn to read the smallest units of measurement
The ones you can find on a ruler correspond to millimeters.
- The millimeter symbol is mm.
- There are 10 mm in 1 cm.
- Therefore, 5 mm corresponds to half a centimeter.
Step 4. Remember that all measurements in the metric system are in decimal scale
This makes the equivalences between multiples and submultiples very simple.
- There are 100 cm in 1 m.
- There are 10 mm in 1 cm.
- The millimeter is the smallest unit of measurement found in most metric rulers.
Method 4 of 4: Measure an Object with a Ruler
Step 1. Use a ruler or tape measure
Find an object or distance between two points you want to measure.
- This could be the length of a piece of wood, rope, fabric, or a segment drawn on a sheet of paper.
- Rulers and drawing lines are the most suitable tools for flat surfaces.
- If you need to measure a person to make a suit, then you should use a flexible tool such as a tape measure.
- For long distances it is better to rely on a measuring wheel.
Step 2. Put the end of the tool that shows the number "zero" at one end of the object
Usually we start from the left side.
- Make sure that the end of the ruler is flush with the object.
- Use your left hand to hold the tool steady.
- Use your right hand to adjust the other end of the ruler.
Step 3. Look at the other end of the object you are measuring
Now you have to read the number you see on the ruler at the point where the object "ends".
- Read the last number on the ruler near the right edge of the object. This value indicates the "whole unit" of the length, for example 8 inches.
- Counts the number of fractional signs (dashes) that separate the whole number from the right edge of the object.
- If your ruler follows a scale in 1/8 inch increments and the object ends at the fifth notch beyond the whole number, then you know you are 5/8 inch beyond 8 inches; for this reason, you can express the length you measured as "8 inches 5/8".
- If you are able, you can simplify the fraction. For example, 4/16 of an inch is equivalent to ¼ of an inch.
Step 4. Use a metric scale ruler
Remember that multiples and submultiples are linked together by powers of 10.
- Read the number that corresponds to the longest dash, that of centimeters. Observe which centimeter line is closest to the right edge of the object. This value is the "whole unit" of the length. Suppose it is equal to 10 cm.
- If the ruler follows a scale expressed in centimeters, the small lines you find between one number and the other are millimeters (mm).
- Now read how many small intermediate lines there are between the centimeter value and the right edge of the object. For example, if you are measuring an object that is 10cm and 8mm long, then your measurement will be 10.8cm.
Step 5. Use a tape measure to measure the distance between two objects, such as two walls
A steel tape measure should be suitable for this purpose.
- Bring the end of the tape measure that shows the number zero against a wall or ask a friend to help you by holding it still. At this point, stretch the tape measure until you reach the opposite wall.
- Here you can read two numbers with different sizes, the larger one expresses meters (or feet) and the smaller one the centimeters (or inches).
- Read the meters (or feet) value first and then the centimeters (or inches) value, then proceed with millimeters or fractions of an inch.
- For example, a distance might be "4 meters, 12 centimeters and 3 millimeters".
Step 6. Use a standard 30cm ruler or similar tool to draw a straight line
Rulers are also useful for geometry or drawing tasks, when you need to draw lines.
- Place it on the surface where you need to draw and let the pencil run along the edge of the ruler.
- Use the straight edge of the ruler as a guide for drawing a straight line.
- Hold the ruler steady to get the straightest line possible.
Advice
- The rulers described in this article are the most commonly used.
- Rulers can be made of wood or plastic; they are usually used for schoolwork and in everyday life to draw, for example, a line or measure it.
- There are smartphone applications that reproduce a normal ruler.
