scientific calculator

The evolution of the scientific calculator

The scientific calculator

While we could have first started using fingers and feet to count, humanity has been creating devices to assist with calculationsfor several hundred years. From the earliest counting devices to the modern calculators, a lot has taken place in between.

Students and professionals alike are equipped with scientific calculators capable of carrying out complex mathematical functions, as well as handling equations. They will save you a significant amount of time compared with writing out and solving individual issues and equations.

However, how did inventors advance from the earliest abacus many thousands of years ago to the present scientific calculator?

What is a scientific calculator?

Scientific calculators, often referred to as digital calculators, are devices powered by electricity that can solve many different calculations that are used in math, engineering and science.

More basic calculators typically have four primary tasks: subtracting, adding multiplication and division. Certain advanced electronic calculators come with additional functions such as immediate percentage calculators. Scientific calculators, on the other hand can be used to solve the most complex mathematical issues for example, those used in the fields of statistics or probability.

A lot of students utilize scientific calculators in higher school and college instruction in classes like calculus and algebra. They're also widely used in a professional capacity by architects and engineers, as well as other professionals.

These days, much more advanced calculators are accessible. For example graphing calculators. A graphing calculator includes all the functions of a scientific calculator , along with the ability to graph input data.

History of the calculator

Early calculators

Humans began using tools to count with an invention known as the abacus an tool that's so old its precise origins haven't been proved. It's the process of moving a set of beads or balls from one end of a row of poles the next.

Around the mid 17th century the first machine to add was created. It could only be used for adding and subtracting by moving dials.

After that, a succession of variations on the addition machine led to the electronic calculators of the present. Philip Hahn's circular hand-cranked model in 1778. The first calculator manufactured commercially by Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar in 1820.

Modern electronic calculators

Back in the year 1954, IBM created the world's first transistor-only calculator. Before, calculators had used vacuum tubes to operate, but this model used around 3,000 transistors instead. It was a huge heavy machine that could cost as much as $83,210.

Then, inventors started to create smaller versions of the contemporary calculator. In 1967, the first handheld calculator appeared on the scene. In the years since, the basic interface of standard handheld calculators hasn't changed much. The first calculator, which was made available for sale to the public in 1970 that weighed 45 ounces and included ten buttons for numerical values all the way from zero through nine. The display could display numbers up to 12 decimal decimal locations.

Pocket calculators

In the 1970s, calculators have continued to develop. One of the first pocket calculator with an LED display came out by BUSICOM in 1971 and cost $395. Hewlett-Packard quickly followed in 1974 with its first hand-held calculator that was programmable for $795.

By 1985, Casio had released its first calculator graphing. The company swiftly continued to develop this model. They're still one of the most well-known brand names of modern scientific calculators as we know them in the present day.

The first scientific calculator

Of the many different versions of the modern calculator the one that was released in 1968 Hewlett-Packard HP-9100A is regarded as the first scientific calculator. It used transistor logic, trigonometry using the CORDIC algorithm, and was an ancestor of RPN entry.

Since then, various brands have also taken over and taken over the market for scientific calculators which includes Sharp, Casio and Canon. Casio is specifically associated with their famous FX series of calculators, like Casio's Casio FX-991EX that is used by students at school.

Modern scientific calculators function

Today's modern scientific calculators can perform a core array of calculations and functions. Different brands and models could have additional options.

Scientific notation

When numbers are too big and long to write with decimal forms, scientific notation is often used instead. A good example of this is "m x 10n."

Arithmetic floating point

This type of numerical representation is used when dealing with extremely small or massive numbers. It illustrates calculations and figures using an approximal formula rather than a standard integer.

Trigonometry

Trigonometry requires measuring as well as formulating the angles and sides of triangles in relation to one another and is generally taught as part of geometry in the educational system. Scientific calculators allow you to calculate and represent trigonometric ratios and formulas.

Constants

Scientific calculators also include shorthand buttons for constants such as "pi" so you can effortlessly incorporate these into calculations and formulae.

Calculus

In high school education calculus involves the exploration of concepts such as functions and limits. Scientific calculators allow you to solve problems directly, without the need for long, lengthy calculations with paper as well as paper.

Fractions

Scientific calculators often display fractions as decimal numbers as default, but the different functions of a calculator for science allow you to display things like fractions in a range varieties of formats.

Complex numbers

In some mathematical equations it is possible to use an imaginary number and is referred to as "i." Scientific calculators let you calculate with complex numbers which are defined as "a + bi."

Top scientific calculators

The most accurate scientific calculator for middle schoolers

Casio FX 260 Solar II Scientific Calculator: available at Amazon
It is a light calculator that can easily be taken around, or even stored in lockers. A durable outer case slides over to shield the calculator screen from damage. It's also fairly priced which makes it more affordable to replace in the event that it's lost or damaged.

Most accurate scientific calculators for high school and college

Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro Scientific Calculator: available on Amazon
This calculator is designed for every level of maths at the higher levels, such as college and high school which includes advanced algebra, calculus, statistics and geometry. It's capable of handling complex equations . It displays four lines of information.

The most accurate scientific calculator for professionals.

HP 35S Programmable Scientific Calculator: available on Amazon
Whether you work in the scientific, medical or engineering field, this calculator is as robust as it gets. It can be used with RPN in addition to algebraic input and it has a comprehensive range of unit conversions along with other functions.

Lauren Farrell is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product reviews company that has one purpose that is to ease your buying decisions and save you time and money.

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