The Differential Analyser Computing Mechanisms and Linkages

Abstract

THE growing importance of numerical methods in scientific research is reflected in the beginnings of a separate literature. These two books are concerned not with methods, but with tools, and are welcome additions to the small number of books dealing with this field. They are both concerned with what have been called analogue machines, and not with the digital type of calculator which is now exciting a good deal of attention. Although they are both concerned with analogue devices, the scope of the two books is very different. Mr. Crank describes the differential analyser, which is used for the solution of differential equations, and is purposely designed to cover a wide variety of problems, and Prof. Svoboda is concerned with the design of simple mechanisms to represent specific functions. The Differential Analyser J. Crank. Pp. viii + 137 + 4 plates. (London, New York and Toronto: Longmans, Green and Co., Ltd., 1947.) 10s. 6d. net. Computing Mechanisms and Linkages Antonin Svoboda Hubert M. James. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Radiation Laboratory Series, No. 27.) Pp. xii + 359. (New York and London: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1948.) 27s.