When building a particular size (3.4375) inches with gage blocks, which digit is eliminated first?

When building a particular size (3.4375) inches with gage blocks, which digit is eliminated first?

• A. tenths digit
• B. hundredths digit
• C. thousandths digit
• D. ten-thousands digit

Answer: (D)

Gauge blocks let you reproduce a length with a practical precision, and in everyday use that precision is typically to the nearest thousandth of an inch. The digits beyond that place—the ten-thousandths and smaller—are beyond the reliable resolution of the standard gauge-block setup, so that digit is eliminated first when you determine the size. For 3.4375 inches, the ten-thousandths place is 5. Rounding to the nearest thousandth would therefore yield 3.438 inches, because you add 1 to the thousandths place (the 7 becomes 8). If you truly needed the exact 3.4375, you’d require blocks or measuring tools with finer resolution.

Gauge blocks let you reproduce a length with a practical precision, and in everyday use that precision is typically to the nearest thousandth of an inch. The digits beyond that place—the ten-thousandths and smaller—are beyond the reliable resolution of the standard gauge-block setup, so that digit is eliminated first when you determine the size.

For 3.4375 inches, the ten-thousandths place is 5. Rounding to the nearest thousandth would therefore yield 3.438 inches, because you add 1 to the thousandths place (the 7 becomes 8). If you truly needed the exact 3.4375, you’d require blocks or measuring tools with finer resolution.