Modern calculators

Calculator

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Calculators calculator is a device used for conducting calculations. Modern calculators usually include general-purpose computing systems, but they're usually made to carry out specific tasks. For instance, graphing calculators focus on graph-centered mathematics, such as trigonometry as well as statistics. Also, modern calculators are larger and more portable than a majority of computers however some personal digital assistants (PDAs) are similar in size with hand-held calculators.

As calculators are reduced to a minimum, the day will come when devices that are smaller than credit cards will be able to do the exact calculations as today's large scientific calculators. Another option is similar to a handheld calculator, where the notations aren't inputted by buttons but are written on a screen. By this method, the requirement for buttons will be eliminated , and the size of the device will be reduced.

Overview

At one time, clerical tools made of mechanical like abaci, comptometers and Napier's bones, books of mathematical slides, tables, or mechanical adding machines were employed for numeric work. The word "calculator" denoted a person who was able to do this work to earn a living by using these aids , as well as papers and pencils. This semi-manual process of calculation was tedious and error-prone.

Modern calculators are electrically powered and come in many sizes and shapes that range from inexpensive, giveaway, credit-card-sized models to robust machines that add on integrated printers.

Electronic calculators

In the past, some calculators were as large as those used today. Mechanical calculators first appeared as mechanical desktop calculators, which were later replaced by electromechanical desktop calculators, afterward, electronic devices made use of first thermionic devices, then transistors, followed by hard-wired circuit logic. Nowadays, the majority of calculators are hand-held microelectronic devices.

Basic configuration

The level of complexity of calculators differs in accordance with their intended use. A simple calculator can comprise the following parts:

• A power source such as a batteries or solar panel both
• A display, made by LEDs and liquid crystal (LCD) that can display a variety of numbers (typically 8 or 10)
• Electronic circuitry
• A keypad with:
  • The ten digits, 0 through 9
  • The decimal point
  • The equals sign will call for the answer
  • The four arithmetic functions (namely subtraction, addition multiplication, division and subtraction)
  • The cancel button is used to remove the current calculation
  • To turn off or on, click the buttons.
  • Other basic functions like square root as well as percentage (%).
• Higher-end models may come with only one number in memory, and can be stored in case of need. There may also be the Cancel Entry button, which will remove the numbers currently entered.

In the last decade simple calculators were fitted in smaller devices like mobile phones, pagers or wrist watches.

Advanced electronic calculators

The more sophisticated scientific calculators are able to support trigonometric, statistical, and other mathematical functions. The most advanced modern calculators display graphics as well as include features of computer algebra systems. They are also programmable. calculators include solvers for algebraic equations, financial models, and even games. Many calculators of this kind are able to print numbers of up to 10 decimal or decimal spaces completely on the screen. Scientific notation is used for notating numbers up to 9.999999999*10 ⁹⁹. If a bigger number or a mathematical equation that returns higher numbers than this is entered (a common instance is entering "100! ", read as "100 factorial") then the calculator will display "error."

"Error" is also displayed when a function or operation is undefined mathematically such as division by zero , or even the roots for negative numbers (most scientific calculators don't allow complex numbers, though a few expensive ones have an additional function that works with them). A few, but not all calculators do differentiate between the two types of "error," though when they do, they are not always easy for users to comprehend since they're usually listed either "error 1" or "error 2."

Only a few companies develop and manufacture the latest professional engineering and finance calculators: The most well-known are Casio, Sharp, Hewlett-Packard (HP) as well as Texas Instruments (TI). Such calculators are good examples of embedded systems.