Non-conventional Measurements

[KWF]

How is the fractional part of one foot or one inch determined if the fractional part is not found on a conventional ruler or tape measure?

For example, 1/2 of 12 inches is 6 inches, Six inches is easily measured by using a convention ruler or tap measure, but what about 1/7 of 12 inches? What is 1 and 5/7 of an inch and how is the length, depth, or height of 5/7 of an inch determined using a convention ruler or tape measure?

 

[HallsofIvy]

How is the fractional part of one foot or one inch determined if the fractional part is not found on a conventional ruler or tape measure?

For example, 1/2 of 12 inches is 6 inches, Six inches is easily measured by using a convention ruler or tap measure, but what about 1/7 of 12 inches? What is 1 and 5/7 of an inch and how is the length, depth, or height of 5/7 of an inch determined using a convention ruler or tape measure?

A "conventional ruler" has its smallest marks every eighth of an inch. Typically, what one would do is read such a measurement to the nearest eighth- of if the actual length appears to be pretty close to midway between marks nearest 16th- of an inch. Some thing like 1 and 5/7 inches would have to be pretty much a guess at something that appears to be just off the 1 and 5/8 inch mark.