RE: Standards for units and values

["Andrew Warren" <awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com>]

Hauglie, Joe wrote:

> What are the acceptable standards for writing numbers and units? In
> abbreviating units, for example V for volts, do the standards support
> using a space before the unit or not?  
> ....
> To follow on, if the standards support using a space, do they also
> support using a hyphen when using the number/unit as an adjective or
> descriptive phrase, or not?  
> ....
> Most importantly, I need to have a published reference that supports
> your usage position. 

Joe:

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publishes
the Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI); it's
available at:

    http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/index.html

The section you want is here:

    http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/SP811/sec07.html#7.2

Quoting from it:

    7.2 Space between numerical value and unit symbol

    In the expression for the value of a quantity, the unit
    symbol is placed after the numerical value and a space is
    left between the numerical value and the unit symbol.

    ....

    (b)   Even when the value of a quantity is used in an
    adjectival sense, a space is left between the numerical
    value and the unit symbol. (This rule recognizes that unit
    symbols are not like ordinary words or abbreviations but
    are mathematical entities, and that the value of a quantity
    should be expressed in a way that is as independent of
    language as possible - see Sec. 7.6 and Sec. 7.10.3.)

    Examples:  a 1 m end gauge   but not:   a 1-m end gauge

    ....

    Note: When unit names are spelled out, the normal rules of
    English apply. Thus, for example, "a roll of 35-millimeter
    film" is acceptable (see Sec. 7.6, note 3).

-Andrew

=== Andrew Warren  - awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com
=== Synaptics, Inc - Santa Clara, CA
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