You can read more about the Sangs' work here. They were particularly appropriate for many technical and engineering calculations. Slide rules were faster, but only gave the first two or three digits of the answer.
The log tables were slower but gave more precise results. This rule was used at Dounreay nuclear power station. Many other types of calculating machines have been invented for different jobs. Mechanical calculators were particularly good where every digit was important, such as for adding up sums of money. Above: s Casio FX-1 calculator. The log button is in the top right hand corner.
Logarithmic scales are also used for measurement, from decibels for sound to the Richter scale for earthquakes. Napier's bones Science and Technology 5 min read. Back Share. Napier's bones fact file. Date Above: Scots Dumpy rooster, similar to the 'familiar' kept by Napier. Introducing logarithms Napier spent over 20 years developing various methods of simplifying calculations and in Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio , his work introducing logarithms, was finally published.
What are logarithms? The word logarithm was devised by Napier from the Greek for ratio-number. Set of 18th century Napier's bones in boxwood. Slide rules remained in common use until the s. Above: Slide rule by W. Jones of London, made about Find out more Learn more about logarithms. Tags Story Science and Technology Inventions. While better known as a mathematician, John Napier was a busy inventor.
He proposed several military inventions including burning mirrors that set enemy ships on fire, special artillery that destroyed everything within a radius of four miles, bulletproof clothing, a crude version of a tank, and a submarine-like device.
John Napier invented a hydraulic screw with a revolving axle that lowered water levels in coal pits. Napier also worked on agricultural innovations to improve crops with manures and salt.
As a Mathematician, the highlight of John Napier's life was the creation of logarithms and the decimal notation for fractions. His other mathematical contributions included: a mnemonic for formulas used in solving spherical triangles, two formulas known as Napier's analogies used in solving spherical triangles, and the exponential expressions for trigonometric functions.
In , English mathematician and clergyman, William Oughtred used Napier's logarithms when he invented the slide rule. Oughtred invented the standard rectilinear slide rule and circular slide rule. Napier's bones were multiplication tables written on strips of wood or bones. The invention was used for multiplying, dividing, and taking square roots and cube roots.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Invented Year. Invention Field. About Invention Napier's bones is a manually-operated calculating device created by John Napier of Merchiston for calculation of products and quotients of numbers.
Other inventions in Everyday Life. Franklin stove circulating fireplace.. Pressure cooker.. Baby carriage.. Powdered milk..
Waterproof raincoat.. Friction match.. Postage stamp.. Instant coffee.. Disposable razor blade.. Coffee filter.. Zip fastener..
Traffic lights.. Cotton buds.. Plastic bottle pet.. Magnetic stripe.. Ballpoint pen.. Cheese knife.. Space pen.. Thermos flask.. Post it note.. Mechanical pencil..
0コメント