Hi Louis, et al.,
"P4" was the label given to the metric equivalent of the "letter" size (8-1/2 inches x
11 inches; 21.6 cm x 27.9 cm). A Canadian Metric Commission approved typing text book
quoted P4 paper as 21.5 cm x 28 cm and could be divided into P5, P6, P7, and P8 sizes.
On the same line of thought "legal" size paper (8-1/2 inches x 14 inches; 21.6 cm x
35.5 cm) was given the label "Q4" for it's metric equivalent of 21.5 x 35.5 cm and
could be subdivided in the same manner as the P4.
I believe it was an attempt at a transition between North American paper format and
international A-series formats by familiarizing the North American paper consumers
with new paper size names. Joe may be able to provide more information on this.
I have started using 2.3 cm margins and 1 cm tabs on all my documents that use P4
paper. Since the actual paper width is closer to 21.6 cm a 2.3 cm margin gives me a
full 17 cm row of text with 16 tab stops. If using a two column format I can have two
8 cm columns each with 7 tab stops and a 1 cm gap in between columns. A three column
format would have 5 cm columns with a 1 cm space between each. The top and bottom
margins of 2.3 cm are used simply for consistency.
The 2.3 cm margin is much more convenient than the soft converted 2.5 cm margin when
working with tabs and columns, in my humble opinion. Then again it would be nice to
have sufficient access to A4 paper at my work place to set 2 cm margins on a 21 cm x
29.7 cm sheet.
greg
Saskatoon SK Canada S7J 3S2
>>> Louis JOURDAN <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 2001-06-19 15:50:45 >>>
At 12:44 -0400 2001/06/19, Gregory Peterson wrote:
>(if you wish, let me know if it comes through with 2.3 cm margins
>for N.A. standard P4 (21.6 x 28 cm) paper).
Yes, 2,3 cm on each margin.
But what is this strange paper format ?
