Calculations

The most common common calculations performed using a slide rule are:

• Multiplication and division.
• Trigonometric (sines and tangents).
• Raising to a power (exponentiation).
• Squares and square roots.
• Cubes and cube roots.
• Logarithms
• Pythagorean
• Electrical

The links to descriptions are for normal linear slide rules with standard scales. For an explanation of how to perform the calculations for other types of rule, see the descriptions under names of these rules. The Thornton rule is a well equipped standard rule, including log log and trigonometrical scales. The instructions for this rule can be used as a basis for many rules and to supplement the more basic instructions in this section.

• Thornton
• Fowler
• Otis King
• Concise 28 circular

Slide rules can perform many other types of specialist calculation. It is beyond the present scope of this site to give detailed information on how to use such scales.