In 1620, just six years after the invention of logarithms, William Oughtred invented the slide rule, which is a calculating device that uses the principles of logarithms. A simple slide rule consists of two graduated scales, one of which slips upon the other. The scales are devised in such a way that suitable alignment of one
scale against the other makes it possible to obtain products, quotients or their function by inspection.
Middle scale has been positioned with '1' against the '2' of the top scale, so that multiples of 2 can be read off along the scale. Alternatively, the scale shows divisions giving quotients of 2.
Slide rule is an example of analog device, which is not like a digital device in which readings can be taken in a smooth continuous scan along the scale, instead of stepping along the set of distinct values.
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