On Tue, 12 Feb 2002 00:14:07 Stephen Davis wrote: >...Perhaps I am going to further compound my ignorance with this next statement but, >why does Marcus feel they would want a conversion to binary fractions?? > Don't worry about the 'ignorance' part, Steve. As we say in Brazil, "perguntar nco ofende" (asking does not offend, or in other words, not a sign that someone is an ignorant).
Let me explain, Steve. Let me use the construction industry as a typical example. These folks who work in this industry use binary fractions, and only binary fractions (as far as I know)! Their measuring tapes are all graded in binary fractions, some come in 1/8's, others in 1/16's, and rarely do we see anything finer than that, like 1/32's. Therefore, if they were to take a measured value, like my 13.730 m example, they'd have to actually find that 'tick' value in their tapes in some ifp binary fractional value. >I for one am nonplussed by the need for anything but the decimal equivalent of the >metric amount, e:g, 2.54cm = 1 inch or 6.35cm =3.5 inches!! An added bonus of using a "continuous" measuring framework, as opposed to a discrete one (fractions), is the business of accuracy. The values as measured correlate nicely with the number of digits being used. I.e. if one sees 4.4 m and wants to add more accuracy, just state it as 4.40 m and you know you moved from decimeters to centimeters. If you need one more, go to 4.400 m, or go to millimeters, and so forth. Now, try that with binary fractions!... > >Marcus also referred to measuring tape!! I would have thought if this were to be >graduated in fractions, they would be the ordinary ones, not binary fractions!! >... You wish, Steve. Haven't you ever seen ifp tapes that construction people normally use in construction sites? Perhaps you should take a look at one. Except for those who can afford to be fancy and purchased some digital gizmo, they're all in binary fractions (at least that's how it is here in Canada...). Marcus Is your boss reading your email? ....Probably Keep your messages private by using Lycos Mail. Sign up today at http://mail.lycos.com
