What is the significance of the "remainder of the surface is free of tolerances"?

• A. It means tolerance only applies to specified features; other surface areas are unconstrained.
• B. It means all surfaces must still satisfy the same tolerances.
• C. There is no need to measure the remainder surface.
• D. The remainder defines default datum.

Answer: (A)

In GD&T, tolerances are applied only to the surfaces or features that are specifically designated on the drawing. If the remainder of a surface is free of tolerances, that means those other areas are not constrained by the stated tolerances and can vary without affecting whether the part passes or fails for those tolerances. This focuses control on the critical features while not imposing limits on every part of the surface. It does not imply that all surfaces must meet the same tolerances, nor does it imply you can ignore measurement entirely or that the remainder automatically defines a default datum.