How do you read a doctor's scale?

Answer 1

To read a beam scale like the ones at the doctor's office, you start by making sure the scale is zeroed. The beam pointer must rest at the center mark with no weight on the platform. If the device is not zeroed, make sure the large and small sliding poises (weights) are at their zero position all the way to the left. If the pointer still doesn't rest at the center mark then use the zero adjustment screw, usually at the left side of the beam to correct it.

Once the scale is zeroed, you take a weight reading by first estimating your approximate weight and sliding the small and large poises along their beams. The large poise increases the weight by large increments such as 50lbs while the small poise is used to increase the weight by finer increments of 0.25lb or so. Step onto the scale platform and adjust the position of the small poise until the beam pointer rests at the center mark (balanced). The weight reading is taken by adding the value of the poise positions. So if the scale balances with the large poise at the 150lb position, and the small poise at the 3.5lb position, your weight is 153.5lb.