Back in 1984 when I was in the fifth grade, the teachers drilled two things into our heads:

1. By the year 2000, everything in the US would be measured using the metric system, no exceptions.

2. Under no circumstances, ever, should you use improper fractions.

Just looking around in my shop, I see almost nothing measured with the metric system and I now see my wood sizes being measured with improper fractions. I have a 5/4 peice of something or other.

Boy, did my public school miss the mark in these math areas.

Really though, any real reason why the boards are being listed as 5/4 instead of 1 1/4?