Abstract
THE general procedure in determining numerical values in a scientific investigation is as follows. From a few observations we first compute the approximate values of certain constants, using for this purpose a theory which is purely a mathematical fiction; and then, secondly, by comparison with extended series of observations we form equations of conditions, and determine the small corrections required by the approximate values of the constants. In the first part of this work logarithms of seven or more decimal places are necessary, but in the second part, which is generally by far the most laborious, logarithms of four and five decimals can be extensively used. Hence it is important that we should have well-arranged and convenient tables of such logarithms. An objection to nearly all the small tables that I have seen is that they are encumbered with tables that are not necessary to, or which do not properly accompany a table of logarithms, such as anti-logarithms, tables of meridinal parts, &c., and the result is that the logarithmic tables are made inconvenient for use.
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HALL, A. Logarithmic Tables. Nature 7, 222 (1873). https://doi.org/10.1038/007222b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/007222b0
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