Teaching of the slide rule in the high school

Abstract

Scope of Study: This report is a comparison comprised of two methods of determining the location of the decimal points in slide rule determined answers. These methods are the digit count method, which uses non-mathematical terms, and the logarithm characteristic method, which uses mathematical terms. In this report the operations and rules, for determining the answers and location of decimal points to problems solved on the slide rule, are given for multiplication, division, squaring a number, extracting square root, cubing a number, and extracting the cube root. It also gives some of the things to be taken into consideration when preparing to teach slide rule in the high school. This report does not include sample problems, examples, or illustrations of how to use the slide rule.

Findings and Conclusions: There is very little advantage to the use of either method over the other, if each is used under the proper conditions. The digit count method is excellent for the teaching of younger or weaker students. The logarithm characteristic method is more desirable when teaching more advanced students.