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Episode 91: How Computers Work Part I - What is a Computer?

The Science of Everything Podcast

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An Analogue Computer Is a Computer

A slide rule is a mechanical analogue computer that they were first developed in the seventeenth century. It's used mainly for performing multiplication and division, but you can also use it for calculating functions like exponents, logarithms and trigonometric functions. Another example of an analogue computer is an abacus, which is used to aid in counting and adding. The trouble with these early computers is that they weren't programmable. They could generally only perform a set certain typef of operation compute a certain type of function when built. And so they lacked versatility,. and also they lacked the accuracy of modern digital computers.

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