scientific calculator

The evolution of the scientific calculator

The scientific calculator

While we might have started out using our fingers and toes to count, humanity has been busy designing machines that aid in calculationsfor thousands of years. From the earliest counting devices to modern calculators there has been a lot that has taken place in between.

Today, students and professionals alike have access to scientific calculators that are capable of performing intricate mathematical functions and solving equations. They are able to save huge amounts of time when compared to writing out and solving individual issues and equations.

However, how did inventors advance from the earliest abacus thousands of years ago, to today's scientific calculator?

What is a scientific calculator?

Scientific calculators, also referred to digital calculators are electronic devices that can be used to solve various calculations employed in mathematics, engineering, and science.

The more basic calculators typically come with four basic functions: adding, subtracting multiplying and dividing. A few advanced electronic calculators come with additional functions such as the instant percent calculators. Scientific calculators, on the other hand are able of solving much more complex mathematical problems such as those used in statistics or probabilities.

A lot of students utilize scientific calculators in high school and college level education , such as algebra and calculus. They're also widely used in a professional capacity by engineers and architects, in addition to other.

In the present, more advanced calculators are readily available. For example graphing calculators. A graphing calculator offers all the features that a scientific calculator has, along with the capability of graphing input data.

History of the calculator

Early calculators

Humans were first using instruments to count at an invention known as the abacus which is a tool that's so old that its exact source has never been verified. It's the process of moving a set of balls or beads from one end of the row of poles to the other side of the row.

Around the mid 17th century, the first adding machine was developed. It could only be used for subtracting and adding by turning dials.

After that, a series of variations on the adding machine advanced humanity toward the electronic calculators of today. The first was Philip Hahn's spherical hand-cranked machine in 1778. It was also the very first calculator that was commercially manufactured by Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar in 1820.

Modern electronic calculators

In 1954, IBM released the initial all-transistor calculator. Previous calculators utilized vacuum tubes however this one used more than 3,000 transistors. It was an enormous weight machine that could cost you up to $83,210.

Pretty soon, inventors began to develop smaller versions of the contemporary calculator. In 1967 the first hand-held calculator was on the market. From then on, the basic interface of handheld calculators hasn't changed much. It was released for sale commercially in the year 1970 It weighed 45 pounds and had ten numerical buttons all the way from zero through nine. The display could show numbers up to 12 decimal decimal locations.

Pocket calculators

In the 1970s, calculators were constantly evolving. In the beginning, the very first pocket calculator with an LED display was launched by BUSICOM in 1971 and cost $395. Hewlett-Packard promptly followed in the year 1975 with the first handheld calculator that could be programmable at $795.

In 1985, Casio was releasing the first graphing calculator, and swiftly continued to develop this model. It's still one of the most popular brands of scientific calculators as we recognize them in the present day.

The first scientific calculator

Of all the various versions of the current calculator, the one that was released in 1968 Hewlett-Packard HP-9100A can be described as the first calculator that was scientific in nature. It utilized transistor logic, CORDIC algorithm for trigonometry and was based on RPN entry.

Since then, several brands have risen up and have dominated the market for scientific calculators, including Sharp, Casio and Canon. Casio is specifically associated with their famous FX series, which includes Casio's Casio FX-991EX that is utilized by students at school.

Modern scientific calculator functions

Today's scientific calculators can carry out a primary range of calculations and functions. Different models and makes may have additional options.

Scientific notation

If numbers are too big and lengthy to be written using decimal numbers, then scientific notation is instead used. An example of scientific notation could be "m x 10n."

Arithmetic with floating point floating

This kind of representation is often used to deal with very small or very large numbers. It illustrates calculations and figures in an approximal formula rather than a standard integer.

Trigonometry

Trigonometry encompasses measuring and formulating the angles and sides of triangles relative to one another. It is generally taught as an element of geometry in the education system. Scientific calculators allow you to calculate and present trigonometric proportions and formulae.

Constants

Scientific calculators also include shorthand buttons for constants like "pi" so you can easily integrate their use into calculations and formulas.

Calculus

For high school students Calculus is the study of concepts, such as limits and functions. Scientific calculators allow you to solve problems directly, without the need for lengthy, written calculations with pen or papers.

Fractions

Scientific calculators often display fractions as decimal numbers in default. However, the many functions of a science calculator let you express things like fractions in a number diverse formats.

Complex numbers

In some mathematical equations, it is possible to use an imaginary number and denoted as "i." Scientific calculators allow calculation using complex numbers that are represented as "a + bi."

Top scientific calculators

Best scientific calculator for middle school students

Casio FX 260 Solar II Scientific Calculator is available on Amazon
This is a lightweight calculator that can be easily carried around or put in lockers. A durable outer case slides over to protect the calculator's screen from being damaged. It's also reasonably priced and makes it more easy to replace should it's damaged or lost.

The best scientific calculator for high school and college

Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro Scientific Calculator is available from Amazon
This calculator is ideal for all levels of mathematical study at higher levels, such as college and high school that includes advanced algebra, calculus, geometrics and statistics. It is capable of handling extremely complex equations . It displays four lines of data.

The most accurate scientific calculator for professionals.

HP 35S Programmable Scientific Calculator: available at Amazon
Whatever your job is in the medical, scientific or engineering fields This calculator is as robust as it gets. You can choose between RPN or algebraic input. Additionally, it has a comprehensive library of unit conversions, in addition to other features.

Lauren Farrell is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review business with one goal to make it easier for you to make purchasing decisions and save you your time and dollars.

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