ASVAB · Measuring and Marking

On a standard tape measure, what does the longest marking between the inch numbers usually represent?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

A half inch

A A quarter inch
B A sixteenth of an inch
C A half inch
D A full foot

Why this is the answer

On a standard tape measure, the LONGEST marking between the whole-inch numbers usually represents the HALF INCH (1/2). ASVAB Shop Information tests reading measurements. The markings are graduated by length: the inch marks are longest (with numbers); the HALF-inch mark is the next longest; then QUARTER-inch marks; then EIGHTHS; then SIXTEENTHS (the shortest, most numerous marks). The longer the line, the larger the fraction. Being able to read fractional measurements on a tape measure (half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth) is commonly tested.

Source: ASVAB Shop Information — Reading a Tape Measure

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About this topic: Measuring and Marking

Measuring and marking questions cover rulers, tape measures, calipers, micrometers, squares and levels, including reading fractions of an inch and checking that something is square, level or plumb. This is one of 10 Shop Information questions on measuring and marking, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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On a standard tape measure, what does the longest marking between the inch numbers usually represent?

Why this is the answer

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About this topic: Measuring and Marking

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