Ruler and straightedge both belong to a category of mechanical instruments used to measure lengths, spaces, and distances.
They are also used for various purposes in drawing, constructing, and verifying the physical factors of other objects.
Key Takeaways
- A ruler is a flat, straight measuring device with markings for length units, while a straightedge is a flat straightedge used for drawing straight lines.
- A ruler measures and draws straight lines, while a straightedge is used to draw straight lines.
- A ruler is shorter than a straightedge and is commonly made of plastic, metal, or wood. In contrast, a straightedge is longer and made of more durable materials such as metal or glass.
Ruler vs Straightedge
A ruler is a straight, flat, and narrow tool used for measuring lengths or drawing straight lines. It has marked units of measurement along its length to facilitate accurate measurement. A straight edge is an unmarked tool used for drawing straight lines or checking the flatness of a surface.
A ruler is a technical device used in mathematics or geometric drawings to draw straight lines accurately.
Rulers may be made of materials like steel, plastic, or wood and of different lengths. But they all have standard measuring techniques inscribed onto them, centimetres, millimetres, and inches.
A straightedge is used for more large-scale industrial and mechanical projects. It is also used to check other surfaces’ straightness and already drawn lines.
It is a narrow instrument with no gradations drawn onto it and thus cannot be used to measure lengths and spaces like a ruler.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Ruler | Straightedge |
|---|---|---|
| Practical usage | To draw lines and measure accurate lengths using the gradations marked into them. | To draw lines or measure the straightness of other lines and surfaces. |
| Technical usage | Used mainly by students and other professionals for geometrical diagrams or graphs. | Mainly used for industrial purposes, such as the automotive industry or machining services. |
| Shape of instrument | A ruler has a proper width between two clearly defined parallel lines. It can be rectangular or triangular. | A straight edge is simply a narrow stick-like instrument that does not have a specified width based on parallel lines. |
| Size of instrument | Rulers can be of different lengths, as longer rulers are used to measure longer lengths. | Straightedges come in standard industry sizes and, as such, are heavier than rulers. |
| Material and Availability | Rulers are made of steel, plastic, or wood and are commonly available in stationery stores. | Straightedges can be made of various materials, such as aluminium or cast iron. The ones manufactured for industrial use are not easily accessible. |
What is a Ruler?
A ruler is an instrument of scale used for measurement and accurate drawings in mathematics, geometry, engineering, and construction.
Rulers are inscribed with accurate gradations and come in different shapes to facilitate their purpose. Sometimes line rods and measuring tapes are casually referred to as rulers, but that is not the correct term.
Rulers can also be used for regular practical purposes at home, such as folding paper into equal halves or cutting through sealed envelopes.
Its importance for geometric deductions is undeniable since it has been used to prove various theorems instrumentally on paper.
It has been used in several rulers and compass constructions, most notably in dividing angles into two or more parts.
Today, all students use rulers in projects and are an integral part of every geometric market box set.
The earliest known example of a ruler is perhaps a bar with gradations marked on it found at the excavation site of a Sumerian city.
The concept of a ruler has been borrowed for usage practically (architect’s scale and engineer’s scale) and in philosophical discussions about accuracy in signification.
What is a Straightedge?
This instrument is necessarily sharp-edged and used for precision in determining the flatness of surfaces and the straightness of lines.
It is thus of utmost importance in industries, factories, and for construction, where even the levelling of machine surfaces needs to be confirmed.
One of the most important uses of this tool in experiments is in the straightedge and compass constructions.
The straightedge has other physical uses in construction, combined with other machineries, such as saws, while cutting through dense material.
In the specialized study of metrology, the straightedge can be divided into the following categories – tool maker’s straightedge, angle straightedge, wide-edged straightedge, and box straightedge.
Using this tool is very simple because all one has to do is place it above a surface, view the arrangement against the light, or place it along the length of any line to be checked.
By following the length of the straightedge, it can be easily understood if the surface in question is level enough or if the diagram drawn is in line with the straightedge.
Main Differences Between a Ruler and a Straightedge
- The primary distinction between the two is that a ruler is a kind of straightedge with gradations marked to enable accurate measurements.
- Structurally the two instruments are quite dissimilar since they also have different uses. The ruler has two parallel lines and is rectangular, whereas the straightedge is mainly sharp, pointed, and has a thin body.
- The straightedge can only be used to find out if a particular surface is flat or if a line is straight. This is very useful in industrial uses because several other machines require this feature to work on the raw materials precisely. Conversely, the ruler is used for accuracy in length measurements and drawing straight lines.
- Students prefer a ruler over s straightedge as it serves multiple purposes unless a specific experiment requires the straightedge.
- A straightedge is always bulkier and heavier than a ruler, depending on the material it is made of and the use for which it is built.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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