North Carolina Locksmith Practice Exam

Which of the following refers to the group of numbers representing the bitting of a key?

1. Code

2. Combination

3. Cut Root

4. Bitting

The correct answer is: Bitting

The term that refers to the group of numbers representing the bitting of a key is "bitting." This concept is integral to understanding how keys are cut to correspond with specific locks. Bitting indicates the exact profile or shape of the key's cuts and the depths of those cuts along its length. Each number in the bitting typically represents a cut depth at a given position on the key, ultimately determining how well the key will fit into a lock and operate it. The other terms are related to locksmithing but have different meanings. "Code" may refer to a system that represents key cuts or bitting in a numeric format yet does not directly describe the cuts themselves. "Combination" pertains more to locks that are opened with a series of numbers or letters rather than the physical cuts of a traditional key. "Cut Root" generally refers to a specific technique or aspect in key cutting and pinning within locks but not directly to the bitting pattern. Understanding these definitions clarifies how bitting is specifically tied to the unique configuration of a key necessary for it to function properly in a lock.