To find the travel length of a 45 degree offset, which multiplication factor is correct?

To determine the travel length for a 45-degree offset, the correct multiplication factor is derived from basic trigonometry. When creating an offset at a 45-degree angle, the relationship between the horizontal and vertical travel can be visualized as forming a right triangle.

In this scenario, both the vertical and horizontal legs of the triangle are equal in length, based on the 45-degree angle. The formula to find the hypotenuse (the actual length of the pipe needed for the offset) uses the Pythagorean theorem:

Hypotenuse = √(a² + a²) = √(2a²) = a√2

This implies that for any given leg length, the actual travel length required will be approximately 1.414 times that leg length, which is equivalent to √2 (approximately 1.414).

Therefore, this multiplication factor (1.414) is appropriate when calculating the travel length for a 45-degree offset. Understanding this relationship is crucial for pipefitters as it ensures proper sizing and fitting of pipes during installation.