Fractions explained

If fractions never made sense in school, here's the shop version. Let's get after it. These five stacks are all equal to 1 in. Within this 1-in block, you have two 1/2-in blocks, four 1/4-in blocks, eight 1/8-in blocks, and 16 1/16-in blocks. Two 1/16-in blocks make one 1/8-in block. Two 1/8-in blocks make one 1/4-in block. Two 1/4-in blocks make one 1/2-in block. Two 1/2-in blocks make one 1-in block. Okay, now it's important to remember this about fractions. The bottom number, the denominator, tells you how many parts are in an inch. 16 parts, eight parts, four parts, two parts, and of course, one whole. The top number, the numerator, tells you how many parts of that inch you have. So, if I have 3/16, I have 3/16 of an inch. That makes sense. Now, why is this so important? Well, when you're starting out in carpentry or you're starting out doing DIY stuff, you're going to see it everywhere. Most commonly on your tape measure, [snorts] but also when you go to the store to buy stuff like this 1/2-in sheet of plywood. When someone says, "Hey, grab me a 1/4-in sheet of plywood and make sure that you have a 1/16-in gap around the whole thing," you now know that this is a 1/4-in and this is what a 1/16 looks like. Anyways, I hope this helps some of you guys. It's Wednesday night. I got stuff to do. I'll catch you guys later. Peace.