How Do You Use A Slide Rule For Multiplication, Division, Squaring, & Square Roots?
In an era of graphing calculators and free online math programs, the humble slide rule may be considered a relic of the past. The slide rule is more than an old curiosity. It’s still a great calculation device, and it requires no power, so you never need to buy batteries or wait for the sun to come out. Slide rules function by lining up several logarithmic scales, labeled A, B, C and D. A should be at the top of the slide rule. B and C are on the sliding middle part, and D is on the bottom of the slide rule. You read the numbers as you would a metric ruler. Move the C scale by sliding the center sliding portion so that the C value is zero at the number of the D scale you wish to multiply by. At the number you want to multiply on the D scale, the C scale should read 0. Slide the cursor over the other number you are multiplying by on the C scale. The line should be on this number on the C scale and should extend down to the D scale. Read the number the cursor is over on the D scale. This
