Contents
How do you create a slide rule?
How to make a slide rule (or log-log or semilog graph paper)
- Take an ordinary ruler, and put decimal points before the numbers marking the inches.
- To position the major (black) divisions on the logarithmic scale, calculate the base-10 logarithm of each integer from 2 to 9 and plot the integer at that place on the ruler.
How accurate is a slide rule?
A slide rule is only as accurate as its manufacture and calibration and your ability to set it and read values. In practice, you get between two and three significant figures from slide rule calculations, and these errors compound as you use intermediate values in subsequent calculations.
How do you use the circular slide rule?
To divide a number by another number, align the two numbers on each ring. Read the result at the arrow on the ring with the number you are dividing by – the ring with the denominator. Since we are now dividing by 450, the result will be across from the arrow on the same ring as the 4.5 number.
Are slide rules still used?
Slide rules are still commonly used in aviation, particularly for smaller planes. They are being replaced only by integrated, special purpose and expensive flight computers, and not general-purpose calculators.
Are slide rules worth anything?
The rarest slide rules are 19th Century hand-engraved instruments such as Palmers Computing Scale (a circular model), first published in 1843, or the cylindrical ‘Thacher’s Patent Calculating Instrument’ slide rules produced by Keuffel and Esser Co in the 1880s. These can run close to $1,000 in good condition.
What is the best slide rule ever made?
Faber-Castell 2/83N Novo-Duplex: Size 38 x 7 cm, 30 scales, plastic. This model is regarded by some as one of the finest slide rules ever made. Its combination of size, build, sophistication of scales offered and attractive use of colour gives a slide rule that impresses!
What does a slide rule measure?
In its simplest form, the slide rule adds and subtracts lengths in order to calculate a total distance. But slide rules can also handle multiplication and division, find square roots, and do other sophisticated calculations.
What slide rule did Apollo astronauts use?
NASA chose a 5-inch, metal rule, model “N600-ES,” manufactured by the Pickett Company for their use. It was a model that was popular among engineers, scientists and students at the time. No modifications were needed for use in space. This rule was used by the crew of Apollo 13, in April 1970.
How long is a slide rule?
The smallest is a slide rule tie clasp that is about two inches long; the largest is a seven-foot-long demonstration rule for mounting on a classroom wall. The scales on most of the rules, though, are standard lengths of five, ten, or twenty inches.
How does a cylindrical slide rule work?
Writing a logarithmic scale in a spiral that is then imprinted around the outside of a cylinder allows instrument makers to lengthen the scale.
How does slide rule look?
2.972 How A Slide Rule Works. The slide rule is actually made of three bars that are fixed together. The sliding center bar is sandwiched by the outer bars which are fixed with respect to each other. The metal “window” is inserted over the slide rule to act as a place holder.
Why was slide rule invented?
William Oughtred made the first slide rule by inscribing logarithms on wood or ivory. Before the invention of the pocket or handheld calculator, the slide rule was a popular tool for calculations. The use of slide rules continued until about 1974, after which electronic calculators became more popular.
When did slide rule popular?
The slide rule was invented by William Oughtred in the 1600’s, but only began to be widely used in the mid 1800’s after a French artillery officer named Amedee Mannheim developed a version that became popular among engineers. By the early 1900’s engineering students in the US were commonly taught to use slide rules.
How much did a slide rule cost?
It sold for about $395. It was the first handheld calculator ever to perform logarithmic and trigonometric functions with one keystroke. In effect it was the world’s first electronic slide rule.
How do you clean a slide rule?
It is usually safe to wash the entire rule in warm soapy water (Palmolive works great) IF it is made of Ivorite. This works for the 4181, Deci-lon and Doric rules. After cleaning, they should be rinsed and blow dried and all spots removed, especially under the cursor.