I am mildly a slide rule collector and still have the one I got when
in junior highschool. It is the type called a "Mannheim", relatively
simple. The others are more modern multiple scale type.
Actually you can not add or subtract on a slide rule. You can
multiply and divide and make conversions, such as to log or
trigonometric functions, depending on the scales supplied. If you
learned math using a sliderule you will have learned how to do rough
calculations mentally, this is because a sliderule has floating decimals
so you must determine the order of magnitude of values in your head.
This skill can prove useful in alerting you to results that make no
sense. While I use a hand calculator mostly I still occasionally use a
sliderule for some applications. FWIW, I found a good -hp- 41 emulator
for my laptop on the web somewhere. A google search will no doubt find it.
On 7/17/2017 9:32 AM, bobkiss caribsurf.com wrote:
So THAT is what a slide rule is for!?!?!? And all those years ago I thought I was supposed to use it in my engineering classes! Silly me!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From: *"Richard Lahrson" <gtripspud@xxxxxxxxx>
*To: *"pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Sent: *Monday, July 17, 2017 12:18:20 PM
*Subject: *[pure-silver] What A Sllide Rule Is For...
Hi,
So like my 8x10 2-D camera with a 360mm
lens has big bellows sag, and for a long time
I couldn't figure a simple solution. Then I
tried a slide rule: just right! It adjusts for length
and the clear plastic gives extra support that moves,
plus it anchors on the front and back wooden shelves
of the camera.
I think I learned how to add and subtract with it but
that's about it. Maybe a portrait prop today.
Rich
