Difference between revisions of "Activities/Sliderule"

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[[File:Sliderule.jpg]]
 
 
== Where to get Sliderule ==
 
 
[http://activities.sugarlabs.org/en-US/sugar/addon/4222 Activity] | [http://git.sugarlabs.org/projects/slideruler/repos/mainline Source]
 
 
== About Sliderule ==
 
 
[[File:Sliderule-activity-icon.png]]
 
 
 
"The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLiderule slide rule] also known colloquially as a slipstick, is a mechanical analog computer." This Activity implements a basic slide rule with C, D, A, and L scales and can be used for multiplication, division, roots, addition and subtraction.
 
 
<gallery>
 
File:SlideruleC.png|The C and D scales are used for multiplication and division.
 
File:SlideruleA.png|The A and D scales are used for squares and square roots.
 
File:SlideruleL.png|The L scales are used for addition and subtraction.
 
</gallery>
 
 
A nice discussion of the slide rule is found here [http://www.ryereflections.org/servlet/pluto?state=3030347061676530303757656250616765303032696430303438373235]
 
 
=== The toolbars ===
 
 
[[Image:SLiderule-main-toolbar.png|right]]
 
 
From left to right:
 
* project-toolbar button
 
* C scale (multiplication and division)
 
* A scale (square and square root)
 
* L scale (addition and subtraction)
 
* display of calculation and results
 
* stop button (not shown)
 
 
 
== How to use a slide rule ==
 
== How to use a slide rule ==
  
 +
There are three parts to the slide rule: (1) a fixed rule (either the D scale or the L scale); (2) a sliding rule (the A, C, or L scales); and a reticule, which moves independently of the rules.
  
'''Examples:''' In the gallery below, several simple examples are shown.
+
To move the sliding rules, simply drag them. Also to move the reticule, drag it. ('''Note:''' The entire slide rule does not fit on the screen. By dragging on the fixed rule, you can scroll the canvas to reveal different sections.)
  
<gallery>
+
Most calculations on a slide rule require three steps:
 
+
# position the end of the top slide above a number on the bottom slide;
</gallery>
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# position the reticule over a number on the top slide;
 +
# read the result from the bottom slide.
  
 +
The Sliderule Activity displays these three values on tabs attached t the top slider and the reticule. The calculation is also displayed on the activity toolbar.
  
 
=== Multiplication ===
 
=== Multiplication ===
  
To multiply...
+
To multiply, first position the end of the C slide over one of the multiplicands on the D slide. Then position the reticule over the other multiplicand on the C slide. Read the result off of the D slide.
 
 
'''Example:''' 4+3+5+19+24=55
 
  
 +
'''Example:''' 2 × 1.31 = 2.62
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
+
File:Sliderule-2D.png|Position the end of the C slide over 2 on the D slide
 +
File:SLiderule-1.31C.png|Position the reticule over 1.31 on the C slide
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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=== Subtraction ===
 
=== Subtraction ===
 
==Discussion==
 
 
 
[[Category:Activities]]
 

Revision as of 10:46, 7 June 2010

How to use a slide rule

There are three parts to the slide rule: (1) a fixed rule (either the D scale or the L scale); (2) a sliding rule (the A, C, or L scales); and a reticule, which moves independently of the rules.

To move the sliding rules, simply drag them. Also to move the reticule, drag it. (Note: The entire slide rule does not fit on the screen. By dragging on the fixed rule, you can scroll the canvas to reveal different sections.)

Most calculations on a slide rule require three steps:

  1. position the end of the top slide above a number on the bottom slide;
  2. position the reticule over a number on the top slide;
  3. read the result from the bottom slide.

The Sliderule Activity displays these three values on tabs attached t the top slider and the reticule. The calculation is also displayed on the activity toolbar.

Multiplication

To multiply, first position the end of the C slide over one of the multiplicands on the D slide. Then position the reticule over the other multiplicand on the C slide. Read the result off of the D slide.

Example: 2 × 1.31 = 2.62

Division

Square

Square root

Addition

Subtraction