Lane wrote:
"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...

Gunner wrote:


I stopped in a second hand store today after a doctors visit, and
bought a Pickett slide rule. Its 6' long. Hangs from the ceiling by
chains. G

Anyone interested?

(Grin) I remember my 10th grade physics class, had one of those up above
the
board. The teacher used it to work out problems.

Anyone else, I'd ask them why they bought it, Gunner. :-)

Grant



Notice that he didn't say what he paid for it! grin
Lane


I still have one of these in my storeroom at the university. It confuses
the heck out of the students.

I still have my regular sized ones around somewhere too, but haven't
used one in years, except to show an occasional inquisitive student how
one works.

On the plus side, you could do many three significant figure
calculations (OFTEN 'good enough') as fast or faster than with a modern
calculator, and RARELY made the common 'multi-order of magnitude'
mistakes that now plague our students. They just don't THINK. Whatever
the calculator says, they take as gospel. We see 'em calculate the size
of some sub atomic structure such that it wouldn't fit between the Earth
and the Moon! Garbage in, garbage out ... but FAST, and to ten figure
accuracy. Ignorance is bliss. The concept of the quick, in your head or
on paper, order of magnitude calculation is all but lost.

Dan Mitchell
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Dan Mitchell
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