NavList:

Wow. This is absurd.

My fiancee and I were discussing this and one thing I didn't see mention of was that math is not only a tool for personal use, but a language as well. We use these algorithms to communicate certain concepts to one another. I liken it to trying to teach someone to speak without teaching them how to form sentences.

For example: The sight reduction form I posted is set up entirely based on the standard addition/subtraction algorithm. If I had just included the plus and minus signs, it would almost be a set of instructions for someone who understands the algorithm. It would essentially read, "Take the sextant altitude and add or subtract the index correction first. Then subtract the dip correction to arrive at the apparent altitude." Etc.

-Sean C.

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