It’s traditional training of fundamentals. When learning to calculate E6B functions accurately, the relevance of related variables for each task is better mastered and recalled as needed in practice. VonBraun discussed this in memoir of his engineering studies. Instructors and examiners demanded exacting lab skill in measurement taken with caliper, pressure indicators, speed monitors and so on. At the time, he bitterly resented being graded on what was considered unworthy of advanced level research. Only much later, when faced with problems of hitting production targets while maintaining ridged tolerance/standards for the V missile program, did the value of full curriculum training come into focus. Shop class hacks are ok so long as you understand what the solutions given really mean.