scientific calculator

The evolution of the scientific calculator

The scientific calculator

Although we may have started out using our fingers and toes for counting, mankind is busy creating machines to assist in calculations for decades. From counting devices that were used in the early days to modern calculators and calculators, lots has been created in the space between.

Nowadays, professionals and students alike are equipped with technological calculators capable of performing complicated mathematical functions as well as solving equations. They save a huge amount of time when compared to writing out individual questions and equations.

But how did inventors move from the first abacus thousands of years ago to the modern scientific calculator?

What is a scientific calculator?

Scientific calculators, also referred to digital calculators are powered by electronics and will solve numerous calculations used in mathematics, science and engineering.

The more basic calculators generally have four main functions: adding, subtracting multiplication and division. Certain advanced electronic calculators have additional functions, such as instant percentage calculators. Scientific calculators, on the contrary are able to solve difficult mathematical problems like those in statistics or probabilities.

Many students use scientific calculators in high school and college level education in classes like calculus and algebra. They're also commonly used as professional tools by architects and engineers among others.

These days, much more advanced calculators are on the market. For instance, a graphing calculator has all the features of a scientific one along with the ability to graph input data.

The story of the calculator's history

Early calculators

Humans were first using tools to count when they came to an invention known as the abacus as a instrument that's been around for so long that its exact source hasn't been verified. It's the process of moving a set of beads or balls from one side of the row of poles to the other side of the row.

In the 17th century, around the middle, the first adding machine was developed. It could only be used for adding and subtracting through the movement of dials.

Then, a series of variations of the adding machine led to the electronic calculators that we have the present. The first was Philip Hahn's spherical hand-cranked machine in 1778, and the first calculator manufactured commercially by Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar in 1820.

Modern electronic calculators

In 1954 IBM introduced the very first all-transistor calculator. Before, calculators were all based on vacuum tubes However, this model employed around 3,000 transistors instead. It was a massive weight machine that could cost you up to $83,210.

In the midst of this, inventors began to develop smaller versions of the current calculator. In 1967, an initial handheld calculator came on the scene. In the years since, the basic interface of standard handheld calculators hasn't been changed in a significant way. The first calculator, which was made available for sale to the public in 1970 It weighed 45 pounds and had ten numerical buttons from zero to nine. The display was capable of showing numbers up to 12 decimal decimal locations.

Pocket calculators

Through the 1970s calculators were constantly evolving. In the beginning, the very first pocket calculator with an LED display was introduced by BUSICOM in the year 1971 and cost $395. Hewlett-Packard was next in 1974 with its first hand-held calculator that could be programmable at $795.

In the year 1985, Casio had launched its graphing calculator for the first time, and immediately began to improve the model. They're still one of the most popular manufacturers of the scientific calculators as we recognize them to this day.

The first calculator that was scientific in nature.

In all the variants of the modern calculator, the 1968 Hewlett-Packard HP-9100A can be defined as the first calculator that was scientific in nature. It utilized transistor logic, CORDIC's algorithm for trigonometry, and was based on RPN entry.

Since then, other brands have come in and led the scientific calculator market, including Sharp, Casio and Canon. Casio is specifically associated with their famous FX series, including its Casio FX-991EX which is commonly utilized by students at school.

Modern scientific calculators function

Today's modern scientific calculators are able to perform a basic number of calculations and functions. Different models and brands could also include extra options.

Scientific notation

When numbers are too huge and long to be written with decimal forms, scientific notation is used instead. An example of scientific notation is "m x 10n."

Arithmetic floating point

This kind of representation is typically used when dealing with very small or very large numbers. It shows calculations and figures as an approximate formula, rather than an actual integer.

Trigonometry

Trigonometry encompasses measuring and calculation of the angles and sides of triangles relative to one another. It is generally taught as a subset of geometry in the educational system. Scientific calculators allow you to calculate trigonometric ratios and to represent them and formulae.

Constants

Scientific calculators also include shorthand buttons for constants, such as "pi" so you can easily integrate their use into calculations and formulae.

Calculus

In high school education Calculus is the study of concepts, such as functions and limits. Scientific calculators allow you to resolve limits instantly without long, written calculations on paper and sheets of paper.

Fractions

Scientific calculators often display fractions as decimal numbers in default. However, the various functions of a scientific calculator permit you to represent things like fractions in a range various formats.

Complex numbers

In certain mathematical equations, the concept of an imaginary number is employed and is denoted by "i." Scientific calculators allow calculations using complex numbers, which are written in the form of "a + bi."

The best scientific calculators

Best scientific calculator for middle school students

Casio FX 260 Solar II Scientific Calculator is available at Amazon
This is an extremely light calculator that is easily carried around in the locker. A durable outer case slides over to protect the screen from being damaged. It's also affordable and makes it easier to replace if it's stolen or damaged.

The best scientific calculator for high school and college

Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro Scientific Calculator: available on Amazon
This calculator is suitable for all levels maths at the higher levels, such as college and high school that includes advanced algebra, calculus, geometrics and statistics. It is capable of handling extremely complicated equations. It also displays four lines of data.

Best scientific calculator for professionals

HP 35S Programmable Scientific Calculator: available at Amazon
Whatever your job is in the scientific, medical or engineering fields the calculator is as robust as it gets. It can be used with RPN and algebraic input. Furthermore, it comes with a complete range of unit conversions as well as other functions.

Lauren Farrell is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a mission that is to ease your purchasing decision and save you both time and cash.

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