Short-Questions

Fast solutions for complex problems

Where did the inventor of slide rule hail from?

Amédée Mannheim, an officer of the French artillery, invented in 1859 what may be considered the first of the modern slide rules. This rule had scales on one face only.

Who invented slide rule?

William Oughtred
Slide rule/Inventors
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.

In which year was the first slide rule invented?

1620s
In the 1620s, William Oughtred (1574–1660), a respected mathematician, set two straight edges side-by-side, forming the first rectilinear slide rule.

Why was the slide rule invented?

In 1815, Peter Mark Roget invented the log log slide rule, which included a scale displaying the logarithm of the logarithm. This allowed the user to directly perform calculations involving roots and exponents. This was especially useful for fractional powers.

Did NASA use slide rules?

NASA engineers used slide rules to build the rockets and plan the mission that landed Apollo 11 on the moon. It’s said that Buzz Aldrin needed his pocket slide rule for last-minute calculations before landing.

What is the slide rule in math?

A slide rule works by adding or subtracting the numerical exponents of numbers for multiplication or division, respectively. Thus, numbers to be multiplied or divided are converted to their logarithmic values and their exponents are added or subtracted.

How did a slide rule work?

Are old 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.

Does NASA use calculators?

NASA’s space program relies heavily on computers. Computers and calculators make solving mathematics problems faster, but they do not change the basics.

How much is an old slide rule worth?

These can run close to $1,000 in good condition. Whatever you do, be sure any slide rule you buy is fully intact and working, as finding replacement parts for a specific model (especially the cursor) can be next to impossible.

What is the best slide rule ever made?

From top to bottom: 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!

Does anyone still manufacture slide rules?

The only maker that still produces “classic” slide rules is the Japanese maker Concise. Made by various companies (e.g. Jeppesen, ASA), this simple and elegant device used by pilots for various flight calculations can also do basic multiplication and division on the circular slide rule portion.

Who invented the slide rule?

The straight slide rule is said to have been invented around 1650. The slide rule was invented during the period of 1620-1650 by William Oughtred, based on the earlier invention of the Gunter scale by Edmund Gunter.

Are slide rules still used?

The slide rule is an amazingly versatile tool that helps the user to calculate a number of different mathematical problems. While it is effective, the slide rule isn’t used much anymore because of the widespread use of calculators. But if you’re able to locate one it can still help you with math problems today.

What is the function of slide rule?

The slide rule is used primarily for multiplication and division, and also for functions such as exponents, roots, logarithms , and trigonometry, but typically not for addition or subtraction. Though similar in name and appearance to a standard ruler, the slide rule is not meant to be used for measuring length or drawing straight lines.

How does slide rule work?

A slide rule works by adding or subtracting the numerical exponents of numbers for multiplication or division, respectively. Thus, numbers to be multiplied or divided are converted to their logarithmic values and their exponents are added or subtracted.