1 1/8 inches + 5 27/32 inches + 7 3/16 inches
1/8 = 4/32
3/16 = 6/32
4 + 6 + 27 = 37
37/32 = 1 5/32
1 + 5 + 7 + 1 = 14
Total: 14 5/32
I wouldn’t call it chaos, it’s a straightforward algorithm:
- Identify the largest denominator
- Multiply each other fraction by [largest denominator divided by current fraction’s denominator] (e.g. 32/8 = 4, so 1/8 * 4/4 = 4/32)
- Determine the sum of every numerator
- Divide and simplify the number if necessary
- Determine the sum of the integers, including any integers added in the previous step
This works for every measurement because the denominator is always a power of 2.
With that said I absolutely prefer metric.
Maybe in your particular industry, but I reckon most people using imperial units aren’t using measuring devices with decimal inches or needing the precision of .0001"