Weird Calculator Error & Recommendation Needed...

[Derek Arita]

I have a Construction Master Pro by Calculated Industries. I tried and tried to divide 27 5/8" by 5 and kept coming up with 5 1/2". I then tried 27" divided by 5 and came up with 5 3/8". Why is this seemingly good calculator giving me these wrong answers? Can you recommend a good calculator that will do inch calculations, accurate to the 32ths.

[glenn bradley]

My Fast Cap 'Converter Pro' (about $15 IIRC) says 27-5/8" divided by 5 is 5-33/64". 1/64" is the finest increment. I assume you're looking for imperial measurements. Unfortunately, it appears that they no longer make it(???).

[George Bokros]

How about an iPhone app? Fraction Plus available in the iTunes store.

Fractions plus comes up with 5 21/40.

If you convert 27 5/8 to eights it is 221/8 divided by 5 = 5.525 or 5 21/40.

[David L Morse]

The default fractional setting for that calculator is 1/16. Unless you have changed it to 1/32 or 1/64 you are getting the correct answer, that is, 0.525 rounded to the nearest 1/16 is 1/2. See page 27 of the manual.

[Duane Meadows]

The default fractional setting for that calculator is 1/16. Unless you have changed it to 1/32 or 1/64 you are getting the correct answer, that is, 0.525 rounded to the nearest 1/16 is 1/2. See page 27 of the manual.

... and the answer in either case was off by less than 1/32"!

[Derek Arita]

The default fractional setting for that calculator is 1/16. Unless you have changed it to 1/32 or 1/64 you are getting the correct answer, that is, 0.525 rounded to the nearest 1/16 is 1/2. See page 27 of the manual.

David, thanks so much. Found it on pg. 35 of my pocket manual. I was ready to buy another calculator, but now I feel I can keep this one. I have it set to 1/32. Now I can round up or down and not have to cross my eyes to see it. Thanks again! I new someone here would know.

[Bill Huber]

I have the Construction Master Pro app on my phone and have it set to 1/64" and when I do the math on the 27 5/8" it comes out to 5 17/32".

I will say I love the Construction Master Pro, it sure make life easier when working with fractions.

[Chris Padilla]

Time to go all decimal and not these silly 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 divisions. I guess it keeps my brain going.

Anyone have a decimal tape measure? :)

[roger wiegand]

Wow, what a great argument for going metric. I'm about halfway there, but still have too many tools that come in weird sizes like those 12.7 mm mortising chisels and 6.35 mm drills. My error rate has gone way down since converting most of my drawings and measurements to metric/decimal. Of course converting completely might be a good excuse for some new tools...

[Halgeir Wold]

Anyone have a decimal tape measure? :)

I have.. at least 6...... :D

[Edward Oleen]

Yes.... It's a METRIC tape- you know, millimeters, centimeters, meters, and all the rest... It makes the arithmetic so very easy...

[Chris Padilla]

Whoa!! I said DECIMAL...not METRIC! :D

300139

[David L Morse]

Whoa!! I said DECIMAL...not METRIC! :D

300139
That's decimal inch. What about decimal foot? ;)
300144

[Derek Arita]

Wish I went metric way back when they were talking about us going metric. Really would have been great for us all. I'm trying, but it's this senior brain of mine...I know...excuses, excuses...

[Paul Incognito]

http://www.kahntools.com/8-200mm-yankee-quick-spring-nut-dividers-1.html

No math, no numbers, just perfect results every time.

Paul

[Rod Sheridan]

Time to go all decimal and not these silly 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 divisions. I guess it keeps my brain going.

Anyone have a decimal tape measure? :)

Sure, most of the people in the world only have decimal tape measures.

It's called the metric system, well worth trying.

I went metric years ago for furniture, far easier to design and work in than that old system based upon a dead English Kings appendage.;)

[Tom Ewell]

Glad the OP got his calculator "fixed" ;)

[Derek Arita]

Also, just got the app...great app! Thanks.