Handy Dandy Math Tools

While most of us can solve math problems with just a piece of paper and a pencil (and sometimes a calculator), there are several different kinds of tools that mathmaticians, engineers, architechs, and scientists of all kinds use every day! Here is some new vocabulary you can add to your math word bank!

1. Abacus: an oblong frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slid, used for calculating
2. Anemometer: an instrument for measuring the speed of the wind, or of any current of gas
3. Angle gauge: a tool used by foresters to determine which trees to measure when using a variable radius plot design in forest inventory; using this tool a forester can quickly measure the trees that are in or out of the plot 
4. Barometer: an instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, used especially in forecasting the weather and determining altitude
5. Caliper: an instrument for measuring external or internal dimensions, having two hinged legs resembling a pair of compasses and in-turned or out-turned points.
6. Compass: an instrument for drawing circles and arcs and measuring distances between points, consisting of two arms linked by a movable joint, one arm ending in a point and the other usually carrying a pencil or pen
7. Digital scale: a measuring device that reads and displays the weight of an object. Unlike an analog balance scale, a digital scale is a high-quality scale that gives a more correct weight reading
8. Dry measuring cups: hold the exact amount of an ingredient and should be leveled off with a flat edge
9. Graduated cylinder: a common piece of laboratory equipment used to measure the volume of a liquid; it has a narrow cylindrical shape; each marked line on the graduated cylinder represents the amount of liquid that has been measured
10. Glucometer: an instrument for measuring the concentration of glucose in the blood
11. Level: device for establishing a horizontal plane; it consists of a small glass tube containing alcohol or similar liquid and an air bubble; the tube is sealed and fixed horizontally in a wooden or metallic block or frame with a smooth lower surface
12. Liquid measuring cups: usually glass or plastic with a handle; they allow you to pour a liquid into the cup and bring it even with a measurement line without spilling
13. Odometer: an instrument for measuring the distance traveled by a vehicle.
14. Protractor: an instrument for measuring angles, typically in the form of a flat semicircle marked with degrees along the curved edge
15. Seismograph: an instrument that measures and records details of earthquakes, such as force and duration
16. Set Square (or L-Square): a right-angled triangular plate for drawing lines, especially at 90°, 45°, 60°, or 30°
17. Speedometer: an instrument on a vehicle's dashboard indicating its speed
18. Speed square: carpenters use it to make basic measurements and mark lines on dimensional lumber, and as a saw guide for short 45° and 90° degree cuts
19. T-Square: used primarily in mechanical drawing, having a short crosspiece that slides along the edge of the drawing board as a guide to the perpendicular longer section in making parallel lines, right angles, etc., and as a support for triangles
20. Weather balloon: a balloon equipped with meteorological apparatus which is sent into the atmosphere to provide information about the weather