Modern calculators

Calculator

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It is a calculator is a device used for performing calculations. Modern calculators often incorporate general-purpose computing technology, but they are often designed to execute specific functions. For instance graphing calculators are focused on graph-centered mathematics, such as trigonometry and statistical. Additionally, modern calculators are far more mobile than most computers although some personal digital assistants (PDAs) are similar in size and size to hand-held calculators.

As calculators are tiny, in the future, devices that are as small as credit cards could perform the exact calculations that are currently used in large scientific calculators. A different possibility of advancement is like a handheld computer, where the notations aren't inputted by buttons but are written on screen. In this way, the need for buttons would be eliminated and the overall size of the device could be reduced further.

Overview

There was a time when mechanical clerical aids like abaci, comptometers and Napier's bones, mathematical books, slides, tables, or mechanical adding machines were used for numeric work. The word "calculator" denoted a person who worked for a living using such aids , as well as writing instruments and pen. The semi-manual process of calculation was time-consuming and error-prone.

Modern calculators are powered by electricity and come in a variety of designs and sizes, from cheap, give-away, credit card sized models up to sturdy adding machine--like models with integrated printers.

Electronic calculators

In the past, calculators were larger than our computers today. They were the first mechanical desktop calculators. They were later replaced by electromechanical desktop calculators and afterward, electronic devices made use of first thermionics valves, and then transistors and finally, hard-wired circuit logic. Nowadays, the majority of calculators are hand-held electronic devices.

Basic configuration

The sophistication of calculators is contingent with the intended purpose. A simple calculator can consist of the following parts:

• A source of energy that is a battery or a solar panel or both
• A display, made of LED light sources and liquid crystal (LCD) capable of showing a number of numbers (typically either 8 or 10.)
• Electronic circuitry
• A keypad with:
  • The ten digitsin ten, 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 and division)
  • A cancel button, which will clear the current calculation
  • On and off buttons
  • Other functions that are fundamental including square root and the percentage (%).
• Some models with more advanced features may include one-number memory that can be stored in case of need. It may also include an Cancel Entry buttonthat will eliminate the current numbers that are being entered.

In the last decade basic calculators have been placed in other small devices, such as smartphones, cell phones, or wrist watches.

Electronic calculators with advanced technology

More sophisticated scientific calculators offer trigonometric, statistical and various mathematical features. Modern calculators can display graphics and incorporate features of computers algebra systems. They are also programmeable. calculator applications can include algebraic equation solvers financial models, as well as games. The majority of calculators can print numbers that are up to 10 decimal points or digits fully on the screen. Scientific notation is used to note numbers up to 9.999999999*10 ⁹⁹. If a bigger number or mathematical expression that yields more than it is entered (a typical example is typing "100! ", read as "100 factorial") then the calculator will show "error."

"Error" is also displayed when a function, or operation is mathematically undefined for instance, division by zero or even roots of negative numbers (most scientific calculators don't permit complex numbers, although some of the more expensive models have specific functions for working with them). A few, but certainly not all, calculators do recognize these two kinds of "error," though when they do, it's difficult for users to comprehend since they're typically referred to with the names "error 1" or "error 2."

A few companies create and produce 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 example of embedded software.