Its not so much where they join the plate but where the balls actually touch a flat surface,
The distance between each ball is measured then the calcs start to get the base reading.
Zero the dial gauge on a flat sheet of glass, then place on the mirror, the the dial reading gives the depth reading which is then worked on further using the three balls measurements to give the real sagitta which then can be used to get the focal length. Phew.
I havnt done it for years so am very rusty here.
But, zeroing it on a sheet of glass then reading the plates should be a pretty accurate reading of flatness.
If its a plus its a hollow, if its a minus its a bump