scientific and graphing calculators

Calculator

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Calculators calculatoris one of the devices used to carry out calculations. Modern calculators usually incorporate general-purpose computing software, but they're usually designed to perform specific tasks. For instance, graphing calculators are focused on graph-centered mathematics, for example trigonometry, as well as statistics. In addition the latest calculators can be smaller than computers overall although some personal digital aids (PDAs) are comparable in size to hand held calculators.

Because calculatorsare small at present, devices just as small as credit cards could perform the similar calculations that are used in large scientific calculators. Another possibility is that they are similar with a laptop computer with the exception that the numbers aren't inputted through buttons, but are written on a screen. By this method, the necessity of buttons would be removed , and the size of the device will be diminished.

Overview

In the past, mechanical clerical tools like abaci, comptometers, Napier's bones, mathematical books Tables, Slide Rules or mechanical adders were utilized for numeric calculations. The word "calculator" denoted a person who worked for a living , using such devices as well the writing instrument or pen. The semi-manual process of calculation was long and tedious, and also error-prone.

Modern calculators are powered by electricity and come in various dimensions and shapes, ranging from inexpensive, giveaway, credit-card-sized models to robust models with printers built-in.

Electronic calculators

In the past, calculators were as large as those we use in the present. It was the very first machines for desktops that were substituted by electronic desktop calculators as well as electronic devices made of first thermionics, later transistors, and finally hard-wired integrated circuit logic. Today, the vast majority of calculators are handheld microelectronic devices.

Basic configuration

The quality of calculators depend on their use. A simple, modern calculator could comprise of the following components:

• An energy source for such a device, for example, a battery or solar panel or both.
• A displaythat is made up of LED lights and the liquid crystal (LCD) capable of displaying a range of numbers (typically between 8 and 10)
• Electronic circuitry
• Keypads that have:
  • The ten digitsof 0 through 9
  • The decimal point
  • The equals sign is used to search for the answer.
  • The four arithmetic functions (namely division, subtraction multiplication and subtraction)
  • The cancel button will remove the current calculation
  • If you want to turn the device off, or turn on, click the buttons.
  • Other functions that are fundamental include square root, as an example, in percent (%).
• Higher-end models may come with individual memory for numbers which can be stored in case of emergency. There could also be a Cancel Entry button, to erase the numbers entered currently.

Since the end of the 1980s, simple calculators are now available in smaller devices including smartphones, cell phones, or wrist watches.

Electronic calculators with advanced technology

More sophisticated scientific calculators provide trigonometric, stats as well as other mathematical functions. Modern calculators can display graphics and include functions of computer algebra systems. They can also be programmed. calculator applications can include solvers to algebraic equations, financial models and games. Many calculators that are this type can print numbers as big as 10 decimal spaces or numerals on screen completely. Scientific notation can be used to indicate figures of up to 9.999999999*10 ⁹⁹. If the number is larger or a mathematical formula produces an even higher number than the one entered (a common example is entering "100! ", read as "100 factorial") then the calculator simply displays "error."

"Error" is also displayed if a function or an operation is mathematically undefined, such as division with zero or even the root of positive numbers (most scientific calculators aren't able to handle complex numbers, but some of the more expensive ones have an additional function that allows them to work with complicated numbers). Certain, but definitely most calculators can detect these two types of "error," though when they do, they're not always clear to users since they're typically referred to as "error 1" or "error 2."

A handful of companies produce and design modern professional engineering and financial calculators The most well-known include Casio, Sharp, Hewlett-Packard (HP) as well as Texas Instruments (TI). Such calculators are great models of embedded technology.