How was multiplication adaptation typically achieved in pinwheel adaptation?
Answer
Carriage sliding or fixed multiplication setting
The adaptation of the pinwheel calculator for multiplication and division, which are fundamentally repeated addition and subtraction processes, was achieved primarily through mechanical aids integrated into the machine's structure. This adaptation usually involved either setting a fixed multiplication factor or, more commonly, utilizing the sliding carriage—the component holding the result register. By sliding the carriage across the dial face, the machine could simulate the positional shifting required during long multiplication algorithms. This allowed the repeated additions to be executed in a structured, mechanized manner, enhancing the utility of the base addition/subtraction engine.
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