When I took night classes in Calculus and EE the professors were much
more practical than the ones I had back in college. One suggested
memorizing a few logarithms, square roots and reciprocals to aid in
mental math. I did, and found I could solve a lot of problems faster
in my head than the engineer could with a calculator. The square roots
give you triangles and the reciprocals turn division into easier
multiplication. Logarithms were vital in microwave work. I've read
that Rommel memorized them to help with field engineering problems.

I get lost when the math ceases to be intuitive, though, like Taylor
series and s-plane transformations, so I never would have made it to
an EE or ME degree. But I like working with my hands and a lab tech
doesn't have to write memos or stay awake through meetings.

Jim Wilkins