Graphic Methods in an Educational Course on Mechanics

Abstract

ANY educational course in mechanics should undoubtedly be based first of all on experiment. If such is the case, it is practically impossible for any student using “graphical methods” to make the wild “shots” referred to by Mr. Larden (vol. lxix. p. 607), who seems to have been very unfortunate in the kind of boy he has received from “a preparatory school”; or is it the boy who has been unfortunate in his previous training? Has Mr. Larden considered the possibility of the “method of teaching” adopted being wrong in the aforesaid school? Surely there is no inherent quality in “graphical methods” to cause these wildest of “shots.” The writer's experience goes entirely against this idea, and supports the contentions set forth by Mr. Milne.