1. How to read and convert readings from decimal-feet to feet and inches.
Philadelphia Rod
How to read and convert readings from decimal-feet to feet and inches.

2. Reading the scale.

3. How to read the scale.
Here are some example of how a Philadelphia Rod is read.

4. Viewing an elevation.

5. Conversion from Decimal feet to feet and inches.
We have read an elevation on our rod of feet.
We need to convert this to feet and inches so we may use our tape measure.
Since the 6 is already in feet we do not need to convert it. We will take our .43 feet and multiply by 12 to convert to inches.

6. Conversion continued. .43 feet x 12 inches = 5.16 inches
We now need to convert .16 inches to 16ths
We multiply .16 x 16 = ths of an inch which we will round up to 3/16ths of an inch.
Thus our original measure of 6.43 feet is now
6 feet 5 and 3/16ths inches which we can measure using our tape.

7. Okay now it is your turn! You have just measured an elevation of
feet. You must now convert it to feet and inches to the nearest 16th of an inch so you can measure it with your tape.
Once you have an answer we will see the result on the next slide.

8. Well did you get the right answer?
.763 x 12 = 9.156
.156 x 16 = rounds up to 3/16ths
Thus our answer is 12 feet 9 and 3/16ths of an inch measure.
Did you estimate that feet was close to 12 and ¾'s of a foot or 12' 9” which tells us our answer is probably correct.