Online Age Calculator

Scientific calculators have evolved over time.

The scientific calculator

While we might have first started using fingers and toes to count, mankind has been creating machines to aid with calculationsfor thousands of years. From counting devices from the beginning to modern calculators there has been a lot that has taken place in between.

Nowadays, professionals and students alike are equipped with scientific calculators capable of carrying out complex mathematical functions. They can also solve problems. They save a huge amount of time over writing out and solving individual challenges and equations.

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

What is a scientific calculator?

Scientific calculators, also referred to digital calculators, are electronic-powered devices that will solve numerous calculations utilized in mathematics, engineering and science.

Basic calculators typically have four primary tasks: subtracting, adding multiplying and dividing. Some of the more sophisticated electronic calculators offer additional functions, like Instant percentage calculators. Scientific calculators, on the other hand can solve the most complex mathematical issues for example, those used in probability or statistics.

Students are increasingly using scientific calculators for higher school and college education in classes like calculus and algebra. They're also widely used as professional tools by architects and engineers in addition to other.

Nowadays, even more advanced calculators are readily available. For instance graphing calculators. graphing calculator incorporates all the functionalities of a scientific calculator , along with the ability to graph input data.

The story of the calculator's history

Early calculators

Humans first began using tools to count when they came to their invention of abacus an tool that's so old its exact source has never been proved. It's about moving a collection of beads or balls from one end of an array of poles from one side to the other side of the row.

In the late 17th century the first machine for adding was created. It could only be used for adding and subtracting by moving the dials.

Then, a string of variations on the adding machine advanced mankind towards the electronic calculators of the present. Philip Hahn's circular hand-cranked calculator from 1778. It was also the very first commercially produced calculator created by Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar in 1820.

Electronically advanced calculators

In the year 1954, IBM introduced the very first all-transistor calculator. Before, calculators have all relied on vacuum tubes for operation However, this model employed around 3,000 transistors instead. It was a big, bulky machine that could cost up to $83,210.

Soon after, inventors began producing smaller versions of the current calculator. In 1967, the first handheld calculator came on the market. From then on, the basic interface of 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 had ten numerical buttons between zero and nine. The display could display numbers up to 12-decimal place.

Pocket calculators

In the 1970s, calculators changed over the course of the 1970s as they developed. A first pocket calculator with an LED display was made available by BUSICOM in 1971 and cost $395. Hewlett-Packard immediately followed in 1975 , releasing the very first handheld calculator that could be programmed at $795.

In the year 1985, Casio had introduced its first calculator graphing. The company was quick to continue to improve on this model. Casio is still one of the most well-known manufacturers of the scientific calculators as we see them today.

The first calculator that was scientific in nature.

In all the variants of the modern calculator the 1968 Hewlett-Packard HP-9100A could be described as the first calculator that was scientific in nature. It was built using transistor logic, trigonometry using the CORDIC algorithm, and was based on RPN entry.

Since then, various brands have risen up and controlled the market for scientific calculators, such as Sharp, Casio and Canon. Casio is particularly associated with their popular FX series, for instance the Casio FX-991EX that is utilized by students at school.

Modern scientific calculators have functions

Today's scientific calculators are capable of performing a base set of calculations and functions. Different makes and models may also include extra features.

Scientific notation

When numbers are too large and long to write in decimal form, scientific notation is utilized instead. A typical example of scientific notation would be "m x 10n."

Arithmetic using floating points

This type of numerical representation is typically used when dealing with extremely small or large numbers. It represents calculations and figures in an approximal formula instead of an actual integer.

Trigonometry

Trigonometry encompasses measuring and finding the angles and angles of triangles relative to each other and is usually taught as an aspect of geometry within the education system. Scientific calculators allow you to calculate and present trigonometric proportions and formulae.

Constants

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

Calculus

At the high school level, calculus includes the study of concepts, such as functions and limits. Scientific calculators allow you to solve limits directly without using long, written calculations on pen and white paper.

Fractions

Scientific calculators often display fractions as decimal number by default, but the different features of a scientific calculator allow you to express things like fractions using a variety diverse formats.

Complex numbers

In some mathematical equations, it is possible to use an imaginary number and is identified as "i." Scientific calculators allow calculations using complex numbers. They are expressed in the form of "a + bi."

Top scientific calculators

A great scientific calculator that is ideal for middle school students

Casio FX 260 Solar II Scientific Calculator is available at Amazon
This is a very light calculator that can easily be carried around in a locker. A sturdy outer case slides over to shield the calculator screen from damage. It's also reasonably priced, making it a little easy to replace if it is lost or damaged.

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 maths instruction at high school and college levels, including advanced algebra, calculus, geometry and statistics. It is capable of handling extremely complex equations . It displays four lines of data.

Professional grade scientific calculator that is the best for professionals.

HP 35S Programmable Scientific Calculator: Available at Amazon
In the scientific, medical or engineering fields it is as robust as they come. You can select between RPN in addition to algebraic input. Furthermore, it includes a complete library of unit conversions, among many other features.

Lauren Farrell is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a consumer review company with a singular mission that is to ease your shopping decisions, and help you save your time and dollars.

BestReviews spends many hours investigating, analyzing and evaluating products in order to suggest the best products for the majority of people. BestReviews along with its news partners might make a profit if you purchase a product via one of our hyperlinks.