How does holding a tape off-line affect the measurement accuracy?

When a tape is held off-line during measurement, it impacts accuracy due to the introduction of a systematic error linked to the angle at which the tape is positioned relative to the line of measurement. When the tape is pulled sideways rather than directly along the intended line, it effectively shortens the true distance being measured.

The correct response indicates that the measurement becomes inaccurate by a specific value for every set distance, which underscores that even a small deviation from the intended path can lead to a cumulative effect on the measurement over longer distances. In this case, the indicated error of 0.005 feet every 100 feet highlights a quantifiable relationship between the distance measured and the degree of inaccuracy introduced by improper tape alignment. This emphasizes the importance of keeping measurement tools aligned properly to ensure accuracy, particularly in construction settings where precision is critical for safety and conformity to specifications.