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I would need more information on the use case(s) to decide. Precision is functionally determined. Have a look at *how* the device(s) are to be used and figure out what precision (including tolerances) is actually needed to get the intended results, safely and legally.
Best wishes,
Michael
On 10/7/16, 10:01, "techwr-l-bounces+michael -dot- hopwood=gleif -dot- org -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com on behalf of wondersofone -at- gmail -dot- com" <techwr-l-bounces+michael -dot- hopwood=gleif -dot- org -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com on behalf of wondersofone -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
I can't make a decision. This is the first time I'm working heavily with
measurements. I'm writing home-product descriptions for nontechnical
customers. The descriptions will include measurements that I get from
multiple manufacturers. Each manufacturer writes it either in fractions or
decimals. My options are to just reflect how they write it or to pick one
method and do conversions to adhere to that one method I choose (convert
the fraction to decimal or vice versa). Pricision is not an issue.
Though, I am leaning towards using only decimals since I can't use
superscripting and subscripting to format fractions. So I could get
measurements like 5 1/4' x 11 3/4' x 1 1/8' that might annoy customers
because the numbers could seem to run into each other making it more
difficult to read.
I've also considered using hyphens between the mixed numbers, but am not
sure if that might cause other confusion when reading. E.g., 5-1/4' x
11-3/4' x 1-1/8'.
These types of measurements could appear in bulleted lists or in
narratives.
Anyone have an opinion one way or another? Or know of any "industry"
standards, unspoken rules, or no-nos about converting someone's
measurements?
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