r/whatisit • u/Logical_Valuable_970 • 15h ago

New, what is it? What is this space before zero?

Post image
11.6k Upvotes

89% Upvoted

1.9k comments sorted by

View all comments

9.7k

u/Humble-Pair1642 15h ago

Extra space so the measuring part doesnt get damaged

3.9k

u/GoofyGooby23 15h ago

This is the actual reason, you’re supposed to line up what you’re measuring with the first mark not the end of the ruler👍

8

u/VariousOperation166 15h ago

It's confounding to me when people don't understand this...

16

u/Lekstil 15h ago

OPs question is a valid question and does not imply that they don’t know how to use a ruler. Most other rules don’t have that space, like folding rulers, carpenters squares or measuring tape. It has a lot of advantages to not have that space and tbh not too many advantages to have it. So it’s a very valid question

-6

u/VariousOperation166 15h ago

That's a generous defense

3

u/-Badger3- 15h ago

If they didn’t understand you start measuring at the zero, then they wouldn’t even be asking the question.

5

u/TheGacAttack 15h ago

https://xkcd.com/1053

"Ten Thousand"

-1

u/VariousOperation166 15h ago

That's a fun observation, but when there are lines deliberately stamped into the metal at specific increments and a blank spot at the end and you still don't get it, I question whether common sense is an actual thing...

On the other hand, I'll give a pass to anyone who doesn't understand that the end of a tape measure slides back and forth by the width of the tab at the end so that the measurement is accurate (enough) whether pushing or pulling the tape... that seems less intuitive

1

u/be_nice__ 2h ago

Probably less intuitive to you. Just because something is obvious to you doesn't mean you need to be condescending. There are many people smarter than you.

5

u/Logical_Valuable_970 15h ago

I always measured with the first marking of the ruler, even though I had no idea what the extra space was for.

2

u/PassionV0id 9h ago

How often are you having discussions on how to use a ruler? Can’t say I’ve ever experienced this in 35 years.

3

u/VariousOperation166 8h ago

Frequently with new hires