2002-02-14 The one I have does not do forced binary fractions. If you add two binary fractions, of course the result will be binary. But, the calculator seeks the least common denominator and displays it that way. But, if an Engineer is working only in binary, his/her results will only be binary.
John > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On > Behalf Of Ma Be > Sent: Wednesday, 2002-02-13 11:27 > To: U.S. Metric Association > Subject: [USMA:18193] Re: fractional inch calculators > > > On Tue, 12 Feb 2002 21:57:46 > James R. Frysinger wrote: > ... > >I have seen handheld electronic converters (calculators) that are > >advertised as converting between SI and fractional inches, feet and > >inches, and so forth. I don't have any links to such sources handy (for > >some reason I never felt a burning desire to own one) but I believe that > >if you were to check catalogs of engineering suppliers, forrestry > >suppliers, etc. you might find some. > > > >I believe that they will also do simple math with fractional inches, and > >so forth. > >... > I doubt it that these gizmos would be able to stick to binary > fractions though. Why? Because there must be some > "intelligence" built into the conversion system to determine > whether results should be reported as x/8, or y/16, or z/32, etc. > I still can't figure out what basis should be used to make that > determination, and I'm not mathematically-challenged, BTW... > > Marcus > > > Is your boss reading your email? ....Probably > Keep your messages private by using Lycos Mail. > Sign up today at http://mail.lycos.com >
