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 the total length of the workpiece in feet, then dividing by two. For a 1/2 inch per foot taper on an 18-inch (1.5 foot) piece, the calculation is (0.5 * 1.5) / 2, resulting in a 3/8 inch set-over.