The slide rule : $b a practical manualPickworth, Charles N. (Charles Newton)
Science
The slide rule : $b a practical manual
Pickworth, Charles N. (Charles Newton)
Slide-rule
What has been said in an earlier section regarding the notation of the
slide rule may in general be taken to apply to the scales of the Boucher
calculator. The manner of using the instrument is, however, not quite so
evident, although from what follows it will be seen that the operative
principle—that of variously combining lengths of a logarithmic scale—is
essentially similar. In this case, however, it is seen that in place of
the straight scale-lengths shown in Fig. 4, we require to add or
subtract arc-lengths of the circular scales, while, further, it is
evident that in the absence of a fixed scale (corresponding to the stock
of the slide rule) these operations cannot be directly performed as in
the ordinary form of instrument. However, by the aid of the fixed index
and the movable pointer, we can effect the desired combination of the
scale-lengths in the following manner. Assuming it is desired to
multiply 2 by 3, the dial is turned in a backward direction until 2 on
the ordinary scale lies under the fixed index, after which the movable
pointer is set to 1 on the scale. As now set, it is clear that the
arc-length 1–2 is spaced off between the fixed index and the movable
pointer, and it now only remains to add to this definite arc-length a
further length of 1–3. To do this we turn the dial still further
backward until the arc 1–3 has passed under the movable pointer, when
the result, 6, is read under the fixed index. A little consideration
will show that any other scale length may be added to that included
between the fixed and movable pointers, or, in other words, any number
on the scale may be multiplied by 2 by bringing the number to the
movable pointer and reading the result under the fixed index. The rule
for multiplication is now evident.
_Rule for Multiplication._—_Set one factor to the fixed index and bring
the pointer to 1 on the scale; set the other factor to the pointer and
read the result under the fixed index._
With the explanation just given, the process of division needs little
explanation. It is clear that to divide 6 by 3, an arc-length 1–3 is to
be taken from a length 1–6. To this end we set 6 to the index
(corresponding in effect to passing a length 1–6 to the left of that
reference point) and set the pointer to the divisor 3. As now set, the
arc 1–6 is included between 1 on the scale and the index, while the arc
1–3 is included between 1 on the scale and the pointer. Obviously if the
dial is now turned forward until 1 on the scale agrees with the pointer,
an arc 1–3 will have been deducted from the larger arc 1–6, and the
remainder, representing the result of this operation, will be read under
the index as 2.
_Rule for Division._—_Set the dividend to the fixed index, and the
pointer to the divisor; turn the dial until 1 on the scale agrees with
the pointer, and read the result under the fixed index._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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