Least Count

The smallest value that can be measured accurately by the measuring instruments is
called its least count.
Vernier Caliper
 Question
Find the diameter of ball?
 Question
Find the diameter of ball?
 Zero Error
If the zero of vernier scale does not coincide with the zero of main scale when the
two jaws touch each other then this defect is called zero error.
There are two types of zero error:
(1) Positive zero error
(2) Negative zero error

Actual reading = Measured reading – Zero error

 Positive zero Error
 Value measured by vernier caliper is more than actual value.
 Zero mark of vernier scale lies to the right side of zero mark of main scale.

Positive zero error = (Vernier scale reading) × (Least count)

Question
 Negative zero Error
 Value measured by vernier caliper is less than actual value.
 Zero mark of vernier scale lies to the left side of zero mark of main scale.

Negative zero error = −(1 Main scale division -Vernier scale reading × Least count)
 Question
Find the diameter of ball?
Screw Gauge
 Pitch
Pitch of screw gauge is defined as the linear distance moved by thimble when it
completed one rotation.

Usually, Pitch is equal to the one main scale division of screw gauge.

𝑃𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ
Least count =
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒

Reading of screw gauge = (Main scale reading) + (Circular scale reading × L.C)
Question
 Zero Error
If the zero of circular scale does not coincide with the main scale line when the two
jaws touch each other then this defect is called zero error.
There are two types of zero error:
(1) Positive zero error
(2) Negative zero error

Actual reading = Measured reading – Zero error

 Positive zero Error
 Value measured by screw gauge is more than actual value.
 Zero mark of circular scale lies below the main scale line.

Positive zero error = (Circular scale reading) × (Least count)

Question
 Negative zero Error
 Value measured by screw gauge is less than actual value.
 Zero mark of circular scale lies above the main scale line.

Negative zero error = −(1 Main scale division - Circular scale reading × L.C)
 Question
A screw gauge with a pitch of 0.5mm and a circular scale with 50 divisions is used
to measure the thickness of a thin sheet of aluminum. Before starting the
measurement it is found that when the two jaws of the screw gauge are brought in
contact then 45th division of circular scale coincides with the main scale line and that
the zero of main scale is barely visible.
What is the thickness of the sheet if the main scale reading is 0.5mm and the 25th
division coincides with the main scale line.