Definition
Measuring scale
A measuring scale is a set of marks that turns position into a measured value.
What it means
Before reading a pointer or liquid level, find the value of one interval—the space from one mark to the next. Equal spaces on a linear scale stand for equal changes in value.
Remember it
Do not count marks; count the equal gaps between them.
Example
A thermometer scale has 0 and 10 labelled, with five equal intervals between them. Each interval is 2. A pointer four intervals above 0 reads 8.
Watch for
This is the marked scale on a measuring instrument, not a map scale, graph scale, scale factor or weighing machine.
Common mix-up
Five marks do not always make five intervals; the intervals are the gaps.
Exact meaning
A measuring scale is an ordered set of labelled and unlabelled marks on an instrument. Each position on the scale represents a value in a stated unit.