इंटरनेट मानक

Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information

Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.

“जान1 का अ+धकार, जी1 का अ+धकार” “प0रा1 को छोड न' 5 तरफ”

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan Jawaharlal Nehru
“The Right to Information, The Right to Live” “Step Out From the Old to the New”

IS 1076-2 (1985): Preferred Numbers, Part 2: Guide to the

Use of Preferred Numbers and Series of Preferred Numbers
[PGD 1: Basic Standards]

“!ान $ एक न' भारत का +नम-ण”

Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
“Invent a New India Using Knowledge”

“!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता ह”

है”
ह
Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam
“Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen”
 IS: 1076 (Part 2) -1985
UDC 389’171 ( 026 ) IS0 17 - 1973
Indian Standard ( Reaffirmed 2005 )
PREFERRED NUMBERS
PART 2 GUIDE TO THE USE OF PREFERRED NUMBERS
AND SERIES OF PREFERRED NUMBERS
( Second Revision )

Uational Foreword

This Indian Standard ( Part 2) (Second Revision ) is identical with IS0 17 - 1973 ‘Guide to
:he use of preferred numbers and series of preferred numbers’ issued by the International Organiza-
ion for Standardization ( IS0 ), was adopted by the Indian Standards Institution on the recommen-
fation of Engineering Standards Sectional Committee and approval of the Mechanical Engineering
Xvision Council.

Originally published in 1957, this standard was intended:

a) to give authoritative status to preferred numbers for application where appropriate,

b) to provide readily accessible information on ‘the numbers themselves for those who have
occasion to use them, and
c) to give guidance to the use of preferred numbers ( and of series of preferred number ).

The main object of first revision of the standard in 1967 was to give guidance in the use of
more rounded valves and to set out the danbers and disadvantages of using them as compared with
the advantages of using preferred numbers themselves.

In the present revision, the standard has been split up in parts to bring it in line -with IS0
standards, by adoption of the relevant IS0 standard.

In the adopted standard certain terminology and convention are not identical with those used in
Indian Standards; attention is specially drawn to the following:

Comma ( , ) has been used as a decimal marker while in Indian Standards the current practice is to
use point ( . ) as the decimal marker.

Wherever the words ‘International Standard’ appear referring to this standard, they should be
read as ‘Indian Standard’.

Additional Information.

.This Indian Standard is issued in several parts, each part being identical w.ith a corresponding
IS0 standard indicated within brackets.

IS : 1.076 Preferred numbers:

Part 1 Series of preferred numbers ( IS0 3 ).

Part 2 Guide to the use of preferred numbers and of series of preferred numbers ( IS0 17 ).
Part 3 Guide to the choice-of series of preferred numbers and of series containing more
rounded valuesof preferred numbers ( IS0 497 ).

Adopted 30 July 1986 (Q December 1987, BIS Or 3

I
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH 2AFAR MARG
NEW DELHI tlOOO2
IS: 1076 ( Part-2) -1985
IS0 17 - 1973

Preferred numbers were first utilized in France at the end -of the nineteenth century. From 1877 to 1879, Captain Charles
Renard, an officer in the engineer corps, made a rational study of the elements necessary in the construction of
lighter-than-air aircraft. He computed the specifications for cotton rope according to a grading system, such that this element
could be produced in advance without prejudice to the installations where such rope was subsequently to be utilized.
Recognizing the advantage to be derived from the geometrical progression, he adopted, as a basis, a rope having-a mass of a
grams per metre, and as a grading system, a rule that would yield a tenth multiple of the value a after every fifth step of the
series, i.e. :
aX95=lOa or 9=vlO

whence the following numerical series :

a a710 a( 710)’ a(q10j3 a (q10j4 1Oa

the values of which, to 5 significant figures, are :

a 1,5849a 2,5119a 3,981l a 6.3096a 10a

Renard’s theory was to substitute, for the above values, more rounded but more practical values, and he adopted asa a power
of 10, positive, nil or negative. He thus obtained the following series :

10 16 25 40 63 100

which may be continued in both directions

From this series, designated by the symbol R 5, the R 10, R 20, R 40 series were formed, each adopted ratio being the square
root of the preceding one :

‘V/10 2vlo aTI0

The first standardization drafts were drawn up on these bases in Germany by the Normenausschuss der Deutschen lndustrie
on 13 April 1920, and in France by the Commission permanente de standardisation in document X of 19 December 1921.
These two documents offering few differences, the commission of standardization in the Netherlands proposed their
unification. An agreement was reached in 1931 and, in June 1932, the International Federation of the National Standardizing
Associations organized an international meeting in Milan, where the ISA Technical Committee 32, Preferrednumbers, was set
up and its Secretariat assigned to France.

On 19 September 1934, the ISA Technical Committee 32 held a meeting in Stockholm; sixteen nations were represented :
Austria, Belgium, Czechosiovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, U.S.S.R. . 4

With the exception of the Spanish, Hungarian and Italian delegations which,~although favourable, had not thought fit-to give
their final agreement, all the other delegations accepted the draft which was presented. Furthermore, Japan communicated by
letter its approval of the draft as already discussed in Milan. As a consequence of this, the international recommendation was
laid down in ISA Bulletin 11 (December 1935).

After the Second World War, the work

was resumed by ISO. The Technical Committee ISO/TC 19, Preferred numbers, hx
set up and France again held the Secretariat. This Committee at its first meeting, -which took place in Paris in July 1949,
recommended the adoption by IS0 of the series of preferred numbers defined by the table of ISA Bulletin 11, i.e. R 5, R IO,
R 20, R 40. This meetirrg was attended by representatives of the 19 following nations : Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia,
Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, United
Kingdom, U.S.A., U.S.S.R.

During the subsequent meetings in New York in 1952 and in the Hague in 1953, whichwere attended also by Germany, the
series R 80 was added and slight alterations were made. The draft thus amended became IS0 Recommendation R 3.

2
 IS:1076(Part2)-1985
BSO 77 - 1973

1 SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION 3.2.3 The fractional positive or negative power l/c of a
term 96 of such a progression is still a term of that
This International Standard constitutes a guide to the use
progression, provided that b/c be an integer :
of-preferred numbers and of series of preferred numbers.
tqb)l /c = 9b/c

2 REFE,RENCES ’
3.2.4 The sum or difference of two. terms of such a
IS0 3, Preferred numbers - Series of preferred numbers. ,,’ progression is not generally equal to a term of that
progression. However, there exists one geometrical
Is0 497, Guide to the choice of series of preferred numbers progression such that one of its terms is equal to the sum of
and of series containing more rounded values of preferred the two preceding terms. Its ratio
numbers.
1 +J5

2
3 GEOMETRICAL~PROGRESSIDNS AND PREFERRED
approximaies 1,6 (it is the Go/den Section of the Ancients).
NUMBERS
i
3.3 Geometrical progressions which include the number 1
3.1 Standard series of numbers
and the ratio of which is a root of 10
In all the fields where a scale of numbers is necessary,
The progressions chosen to compute the preferred numbers
standardization consists primarily of grading the
have a ratio equal to q/10, r being equal to 5,‘to 10, to 20,
characteristics according to one or several series of numbers
or to 40. The results are given hereunder.
covering all the requirements with a minimum df ternls.

These series should present certain essential charadteristics; 3.3.1 The number 10 and its positive and negative powers
they shoutd are terms of all the progressions.

a) be simple and easily remembered;

3.3.2 Any term whatever of the range 10d . ..lOd+l. d
b) be unlimited, both towards the lower and towards being positive or negative, ~may be obtained~by multiplying
the higher numbers; by lad the corresponding term of the range 1 . . . 10.

c) include all the decimal multiples and/sub-multiples

of any term; 3.3.3 The terms of these progressions comply in particular
with the property given in 3.1 c).
d) provide a rational grading system.

3.4 Rounded off geometrical progressions

3.2 Characteristics of geometrical progressions which
include the number 1 The preferred numbers are the rounded off values of the
progressions defined in 3.3.
The characteristics of these progressions, with a ratio 9, are
mentioned below.
3.4.1 The maximum roundings off are :
39.1 The product or quotient of any two terms 9* and 9c
-t 1,26% and - 1,Ol %
of such a progression is always a term of that progression :
The preferred numbers included in the range 1 . . . 10 are
qb X qz = qb+c
given in the table of section 2 of IS0 3.

3.22 The integral positive or negative power c of any term

9* of such a progression is always a term of that 3.4.2 Due to the rounding off, the products, quotients and

progression : powers of preferred numbers may be considered as

preferred numkrs only if the modes of calculation referred
(9b)~ = 9bc to in section 5 are used.

3
IS: 1076 (Part 2) -1985
IS0 17 - 1973

3.4.3 For the R 10 series, it should be noted that’310 is the articles standardized, their cost price, their dependence
equal to 32 at an accuracy closer than 1 in 1 000 in relative upon other articles used in close connection with them, etc.
value, so that
The best scale will be determined by taking into
- the cube of a number of this series is approximately consideration, in particular, the two following
equal to double the cube of the preceding number. In contradictory tendencies : a scale with too wide steps
other words, the Nth term is approximately double the involves a waste of materials and an increase in the cost of
(N - 31th term. Due to the rounding off,~it is found that manufacture, whereas a too closely spaced scale leads to an
it is usually equal to exactly the double; increase in the cost of tooling and also in the value of stock
inventories.
- the square of a number of this series is
approximately equal to 1.6 times the square of the When the needs are not of the same relative importance in
preceding number. all the ranges under consideration, select the most suitable
basic series for each range so that the sequences of numerical
3.4.4 Just as the terms of the R 10 series are doubled in values adopted provide a succession of series of different
general every 3 terms, the terms of the R 20 series are ratios permitting new interpolationswhere necessary.
doubled every 6 terms, and those of the R 40 series are
doubled every 12 terms. 4.3 Derived series

Derived series, which are obtained by taking the terms at

3.4.5 Beginning with the R 10 series, the number 3,15,
every second, every third, every fourth, etc. step of the
which is nearly equal to TI, can be found among the
basic series, shall be used only when none of the scales of
preferred numbers. It follows that the length of a
the basic series is satisfactory.
circumference and the area of a circle, the diameter of
which is a preferred number, may also be expressed by
4.4 Shifted series
preferred numbers. This applies in particular to peripheral
speeds, cutting speeds, cylindrical areas and volumes, A shifted series, that is, a series having the same grading as a
spherical areas and volumes. basic series, but beginning with a term not belonging to that
series, shall be used only for characteristics which are
3.4.6 The R 40 series of preferred numbers includes the functions of other characteristics, themselves scaled in a
numbers 3 000, 1 500, 750, 375, which have special basic series.
importance in electricity (number of revolutions per minute
of asynchronous motors when running without load on Example : The R 80/8 (25.8 . . 165) series has the same

alternating current at 50 Hz). grading as the R 10 series, but starts with a term of the
R 80 series, whereas the R 10 series, from which it is
shifted, would start at 25.
3.4.7 It follows from the features outlined above that the
preferred numbers correspond faithfully to the
characteristics set forth in 3.1. Furthermore, they 4.5 Single numerical value
constitute a unique grading rule, acquiring thus a
remarkably universal character. In the selection of a single numerical value, irrespective of
any idea of scaling, choose one of the terms of the R 5,
R 10, R 20, R 40 basic series or else a term of the
exceptional R 80 series, giving preference to the terms of
4 DIRECTIVES FOR THE USE OF PREFERRED the series of highest step ratio, choosing R 5 rather than
NUMBERS R 10, R 10 rather than R 20, etc.

When it is not possible to provide preferred numbers for all

4.1 Characteristics expressed by numerical values characteristics that could be numerically expressed, apply
preferred numbers first to the most important characteristic
In the preparation of a project involving numerical values of
or characteristics, than determine the secondary or
characteristics, whatever their nature, for which no
subordinate characteristics in the light of the principles set
particular standard exists, select preferred numbers for
forth in this section.
these values and do not deviate from them except for
imperative reasons (see section 7).
4.6 Grading by means of preferred numbers
Attempt at all times to adapt existing standards to
preferred numbers. The preferred numbers may differ from the calculated
values by -!- 1,26 % to - 1 ,Ol %. It follows that sizes, graded
4.2 Scale of numerical values according to preferred numbers, are not exactly
proportional to one another.
In selecting a scale of numerical values, choose that series
having the highest ratio consistent with the desiderata to be To obtain an exact proportionality, use either the
satisfied, in the order : R 5, R 10, etc. Such a scale must be theoretical values, or the serial numbers defined. in
carefully worked out. The considerations to be taken into section 5, or the decimal logarithms of the theoretical
account are, among others : the use that is to be made of values.

4
 IS:1076(Part2)-1985
IS0 47 - 1973

It should be noted that wnen formulae are used all the 5.3 Powers and roots
terms of which are expressed in preferred numbers, the
The preferred number which is the integral positive or
discrepancy of the result, if it is itself expressed as a
negative power of a preferred number is computed by
preferred number, remains within the range + 1,26% to
multiplying the serial number of the preferred number by
- 1,Ol %.
the exponent and by finding the preferred number
corresponding to the serial number obtained.

The preferred number corresponding to the root or

fractional positive or negative power of a preferred number
is computed in the same way, provided that the product of
the serial number and the fractional exponent be an integer.

Example 1 : (3,.15)2 = 10
2N 3,,5 = 2 X 20 = 40 = N,,,
5 RECOMMENDAT~ION FOR CALCULATION WITH
PREFERRED NUMBERS Example2: 73,15= 3,151/5= 1,25
$Ns,15 = 20/5~= 4 (integer) = NIza

5.1 Serial numbers Example 3 : do,16 = 0,161n = 0.4

5 No,,6 = -32/2 =- 16 (integer) = NOA
It may be noted that, for computing with preferred
numbers, the terms of the arithmetical progression of the Example 4 : On the other hand, $3 = 3ll4is not a
serial numbers (column 5 in the table of section 2 of IS0 3) preferred number because the product of the
are exactly the logarithms to basead of the terms of the exponent l/4 and the serial number of 3 is
geometrical progression corresponding to the preferred not an integer.
numbers of the R 40 series (column 4 of the same table). Example 5 : 0,25-‘“m= 1.6
The series of the serial numbers can be continued in both - $ No,25 = -$(-24)=+8=~,,e
directions, so that if N, is the serial number of the NOTE - The mode of calculation with the serial numbers may
preferred number n, it follows that introduce slight errors which are caused by the deviation between
the theoretical preferred numbers and the corresponding rounded
N 1,00= 0 off numbers of the basic series.
N 1.06= 1 N 0.96 = - 1
NJ0 = 40 N,,,o = - 40 5.4 Decimal logarithms
N ,oo = 80 No,-,, = - 80
The mantissae of the decimal logarithms of the theoretical
, 5.2 Products and quotients values are given in column 6 of the table of section 2 of
IS0 3.
The preferred number n” which is the product or quotient
of two preferred numbers n and n’ is calculated by adding Example 1: log,* 4,5 = 0,650
or subtracting the serial numbers N, and N,, and finding Example 2 : log,0 0,063 5 0,800- 2 = 2800
the preferred number n’) corresponding to the new.serial
number thus obtained.
6 MORE ROUNDED VALUES OF PREFERRED
Example 1 : 3,15X 1,6 = 5
NUMBERS
Na.15 + Nt.6 = 20+8=28=Na
If considerations of a practical nature completely prohibit
Example 2 : 6.3 X 0,2 = 1.25
32+(-28)=4=N,,, the use of the preferred numbers themselves, refer to
4x3 +-No,2 =
IS0 497, which states the conditions on which the only
Example 3 : 1 :0,06=17 admissible more rounded values of preferred numb&s may
N, - Nqoe= 0-(-49)=49=N,, be used and the consequences of using them.

Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India

5 .