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    Re: Tables of Trig Functions and Logs of Trig Functions
    From: Robert Eno
    Date: 2007 May 2, 12:48 -0400

    Lu,
    
    I was going to give you a smart-arsed answer like: "if you have to ask such
    a question, you don't belong on the list", but that would be rather rude of
    me.
    
    Essentially, for the same reason why I persist in using a sextant: the
    challenge of doing it the hard way. Oddly enough, I find it rather
    therapeutic to perform the odd sight reduction the old way using the trig
    and log tables. It also hones my basic understanding of the mathematics
    behind the calculations. It also gives me another level of independence of
    electronic gadgetry should the latter fail me absolutely some day. Don't
    misunderstand me: I still use a scientific calculator (and if I am
    particularly impatient, my Celesticomp V) but for every round of sights that
    I take, I reduce at least one or two using the tables: the hard way.
    
    I currently use a slim volume called: "McGraw-Hill Five-Place Logarithmic
    and Trigonometric Tables" (1933). Wonderful little book. For the logs of
    trig functions, there is at least a proportional parts section in the right
    hand column which allows one to interpolate for 10ths of a minute; tedious
    though it is, it works reasonably well. Not so for the trigonometric tables
    which only provide entries to the minute of arc.
    
    So there you have it: I am an anachronism in more ways than just one.
    
    Robert
    
    
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "Lu Abel" 
    To: 
    Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 10:56 AM
    Subject: [NavList 2790] Re: Tables of Trig Functions and Logs of Trig
    Functions
    
    
    >
    > Pocket scientific calculators ($15 at a lot of discount stores) provide
    > this sort of accuracy.   Why the need for tables, if I may respectfully
    > ask?
    >
    > Lu Abel
    >
    > Robert Eno wrote:
    >> I am looking for a set of tables which provides trig functions and logs
    >> of trig functions down to the 10th of a minute of arc. Is anyone aware
    >> of any publications that provide this?
    >>
    >> Thanks
    >>
    >> Robert
    >>
    >> >
    >
    > >
    >
    
    
    
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