A number of special-purpose computers have been built in the past for the solution of polynomial equations. Most of the computers are expensive and their design is based on the principle of harmonic synthesis. This paper describes the development, design, and construction of a transformer analog polynomial equation solver (TAPES). The operation of this special-purpose analog computer depends on the well-known techniques of harmonic synthesis. The basic principles of 'transformer analog computation' first suggested by Blackburn (1937), have been extended to yield a compact, accurate and inexpensive computer for the solution of algebraic equations. The computer uses only tapped transformers and ganged switches as its building elements. A unique feature of the computer is that coefficients greater than unity can be set very easily, thereby increasing the accuracy to which a root can be evaluated. As built, the computer can handle equations up to the sixth degree, but the method could be extended to build computers for solving equations of higher degree, without appreciable loss of accuracy in computation.
An isograph designed completely on the transformer analog principle is described in this paper. To our knowledge the equipment described in this paper is the simplest of all isographs constructed so far. As constructed, the computer is capable of solving sixth-degree equations but the method could be extended for solving higher-degree equations without appreciable loss of accuracy. It is possible to find the roots with the computer in a short time, provided the roots are fairly well separated. If the roots are closely spaced the minima obtained on the null meters are rather broad and the accuracy suffers in respect of these roots as is the case with similar isographs. Though the inherent accuracy is high, the accuracy to which a root, can be determined is limited to 1degrees in the argument and this is only a design feature which is introduced deliberately.... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]