3 Mar
2013
3 Mar
'13
4:31 p.m.
As I recall, there were some simple rulesfor where the slide was to determine decimal
points.I used to use them and never had to estimate.Dwight > From: ard at
p850ug1.demon.co.uk
One aspect that seems absolutely critical, at
least in my opinion,
is that when a slide rule is being used, it forces the ability to at
least estimate the answer since the slide rule only provides the
first 3 digits in the answer, NOT where the decimal point is
located.
I should have read your reply before making essentially the same point
myself.
Using a calculator robs the individual of the
ability to estimate an
answer since the decimal point is provided along with the mandatory
digits. Using a calculator also seems to encourage an individual to
fail to understand that the input data usually has far too little accuracy
to justify more than about two digits of accuracy in the final answer.