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The evolution of the scientific calculator

The scientific calculator

Although we may have begun using fingers and toes to count, mankind has been creating machines that aid in calculationsfor many centuries. From the earliest counting devices to the modern calculators many things have been created in the space between.

Nowadays, professionals and students alike have access to technological calculators capable of performing complex mathematical functions as well as solving complex equations. They can save a lot of time when compared to writing out individual questions and equations.

How did the inventors make the leap from the earliest abacus hundreds of years ago to the current scientific calculator?

What is a scientific calculator?

Scientific calculators, sometimes referred to as digital calculators, are electronic devices that are able to solve a variety of calculations that are used in math, engineering and science.

Basic calculators generally have four main tasks: subtracting, adding multiplying, dividing and adding. Certain advanced electronic calculators have additional functions, such as immediate percentage calculators. Scientific calculators, on the contrary can solve many more complicated mathematical problems like those in probability or statistics.

A lot of students utilize scientific calculators in college and high school instruction in classes like algebra and calculus. They are also used extensively as professional tools by architects and engineers, as well as other professionals.

Today, more sophisticated calculators are readily available. For instance graphing calculators. A graphing calculator includes all the functions of a scientific calculator , along with the ability to graph input data.

The history of the calculator

Early calculators

Humans began using instruments to count at their invention of abacus which is a device that's so ancient that its precise origins haven't been proven. It's the process of moving a set of balls or beads from one end of the poles row to the other side of the row.

In the 17th century, around the middle the first machine for adding was developed. It was capable of adding and subtracting using the dials.

Then, a string of variations on the adding machine helped to advance humanity towards the modern electronic calculators that we have the present. This included Philip Hahn's round hand-cranked calculator, which was introduced in 1778, and the first calculator that was commercially manufactured by Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar in 1820.

Electronically advanced calculators

In the year 1954, IBM created the world's first calculator that was entirely transistor. The previous calculators were all based on vacuum tubes for operation however this one used approximately 3,000 transistors instead. It was a huge and bulky machine that could cost up to $83,210.

Soon after, inventors began to create smaller versions of the current calculator. In 1967, the very first portable calculator came on the market. From then on, the fundamental interface of standard handheld calculators hasn't been changed in a significant way. The first calculator, which was made available to the market in 1970 it weighed 45 ounces, and included ten buttons for numerical values that ranged from zero to nine. The display could show numbers up to twelve decimal points.

Pocket calculators

In the 1970s, calculators evolved. First pocket calculator with an LED display was introduced by BUSICOM in 1971 , and it cost $395. Hewlett-Packard soon followed in 1975 , releasing the very first hand-held calculator that could be programmed for $795.

In 1985, Casio had launched the first graphing calculator, and rapidly continued to refine this model. They're one of the most well-known models of science calculators in the way we use them to this day.

The first calculator that was scientific in nature.

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

Since then, different brands have risen up and taken over the market for scientific calculators, which includes Sharp, Casio and Canon. Casio is especially associated with their famous FX series, including Casio's Casio FX-991EX which is commonly used by schoolchildren.

Modern scientific calculators are able to function

Modern scientific calculators are able to perform a basic collection of calculations and functions. Different models and brands may contain additional functions.

Scientific notation

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

Arithmetic with floating points

This kind of representation is employed when dealing with extremely small or massive numbers. It depicts calculations and figures using an approximate formula, rather than an integer standard.

Trigonometry

Trigonometry is the process of measuring and measuring the angles and sides of triangles with respect to one another and is typically taught as an element of geometry in the educational system. Scientific calculators allow you to calculate trigonometric ratios and to represent them and formulas.

Constants

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

Calculus

In the high school level of education Calculus is the study of concepts like limits and functions. Scientific calculators allow you to solve problems directly, without the need for lengthy, written calculations using paper or papers.

Fractions

Scientific calculators often display fractions in decimal numbers by default, however the various features of a scientific calculator permit you to represent things such as fractions in a variety various formats.

Complex numbers

In certain mathematical equations, the use of an imaginary number is utilized and is referred to as "i." Scientific calculators permit you to calculate using complex numbers, which are described in the form of "a + bi."

The best scientific calculators

The most accurate scientific calculator for middle school students

Casio FX 260 Solar II Scientific Calculator is available on Amazon
It is a light calculator that is easily transported around or kept in the locker. The durable case slide over to shield the screen from being damaged. It's also affordable and makes it more affordable to replace in the event that it is lost or damaged.

The most accurate scientific calculator for college and high school

Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro Scientific Calculator is available on Amazon
This calculator is ideal for all levels of maths at the high school and college levels that includes advanced algebra, calculus, geometry and statistics. It is capable of handling extremely complicated equations, and it displays four lines of information.

The most accurate scientific calculator for professionals.

HP 35S Programmable Scientific Calculator: available on Amazon
If you are in the scientific, medical or engineering fields the calculator is as robust as it gets. It can be used with RPN and algebraic input, and it has a full collection of unit conversions as well as other functions.

Lauren Farrell is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a review of products company that has a single goal to simplify your buying decisions and save you both time and cash.

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