To obtain a 1/2 inch per foot taper on an 18 inch work piece, the tailstock of the lathe must be set over __________.

Correct Answer: Option A — 3/8 inch

The tailstock set-over is calculated by multiplying the taper per foot by half the length of the workpiece in feet. With a 0.5-inch taper per foot and an 18-inch (1.5-foot) workpiece, the calculation is 0.5 * (1.5 / 2), resulting in a required set-over of 0.375 inches.