Modern calculators

Calculator

Navigate to: previous, Jump to (Calcium)Next (Caleb)A simple calculator

Calculators calculator is an instrument for making calculations. The modern calculator usually incorporates general-purpose computing systems, however, they are usually designed to carry out specific tasks. For instance graphing calculators are focused on graph-centered mathematics, such as trigonometry, statistics and so on. Additionally, modern calculators are much more portable than the majority of computers however some personal digital aids (PDAs) are similar in size to hand-held calculators.

Since calculators are tiny, in the future, devices which are as small as credit cards could perform the exact calculations like today's huge scientific calculators. Another possibility is like a handheld computer in that the calculations aren't entered using buttons, but instead written on the screen. This would mean that the requirement for buttons would be eliminated , and the size of the device could be reduced further.

Overview

The past was when clerical tools made of mechanical like abaci, comptometers and Napier's bones, mathematical books, slides, tables, or mechanical adders were utilized for work with numerics. The term "calculator" denoted a person who performed this work for a living , using such tools as well as pencil and paper. The semi-manual method of calculation was time-consuming and error-prone.

Modern calculators are powered by electricity and are available in an array of sizes and shapes ranging from basic, free, credit card-sized models to more robust adding machines--like models that have integrated printers.

Electronic calculators

In the past, calculators were larger than the computers of today. First, mechanical calculators used mechanical desktop calculators, which were later replaced by electromechanical desktop calculators and later by electronic devices that used first thermionic valves, later transistors, and finally hard-wired integrated circuit logic. Nowadays, the majority of calculators are handheld microelectronic devices.

Basic configuration

The level of complexity of calculators differs depending on the purpose for which they are designed. A basic modern calculator could comprise of the following components:

• A source of power like a battery or solar panel, or both
• Displays are typically made of LED light sources as well as liquid crystal (LCD), capable of showing a range of numbers (typically between 8 and 10)
• Electronic circuitry
• Keypads that contain:
  • The ten digits, from 0 through 9
  • The decimal point
  • The equals sign, which is used to call for the answer
  • The four Arithmetic functions (namely subtraction, subtraction multiplication, division and subtraction)
  • The Cancel button will remove the current calculation
  • The buttons for on and off
  • Other fundamental functions like square root as well as percentage (%).
• Advanced models could have one-number memory that is able to be used whenever it is needed. There may also be an Cancel Entry button to erase the numbers currently being entered.

Since the 1980s Simple calculators were added to other devices like pagesrs, mobile phones, or wrist watches.

Electronic calculators with advanced technology

Advanced scientific calculators can support trigonometric, statistical and various mathematical features. Modern calculators display graphics and incorporate features of computers algebra systems. They can also be programmed; calculator software includes solvers for algebraic equations as well as financial models and even games. The majority of calculators can print numbers as large as 10 decimal places or digits fully on the screen. Scientific notation is used to note numbers that are as high as 9.999999999*10 ⁹⁹. If a higher number or mathematical expression that yields more than the one entered (a typical example is entering "100! ", read as "100 factorial") then the calculator will display "error."

"Error" is also displayed when a function or operation is not mathematically defined such as division by zero , or even the roots for negative numbers (most scientific calculators don't permit complex numbers, although some of the more expensive models have an extra function to work with complex numbers). Certain, but not all, calculators can differentiate between the two kinds of "error," though when they do, it's difficult for users to comprehend since they're usually referred to in the form of "error 1" or "error 2."

A handful of companies design and manufacture modern professional finance and engineering calculators the most well-known include Casio, Sharp, Hewlett-Packard (HP), as well as Texas Instruments (TI). These calculators are excellent models of embedded technology.