Calculate Pieces per Sheet
Use this simple diagram to determine the highest yield when cutting down parent sheets.
For a perpendicular grain cut, take the dimensions of your parent size sheet and underneath that take the dimensions of the sheet size desired and divide those numbers diagonally. (See image to the right). Multiply those 2 numbers together to give you your final yield.
For a parallel grain cut, take the dimensions of your parent size sheet and underneath that take the dimensions of the sheet size desired and divide those numbers vertically. (See image to the right). Multiply those 2 numbers together to give you your final yield.
Whichever final yield is larger determines how to best cut parent sheets for the highest yield.