A scientific calculator is a type of electronic calculator, usually but not always handheld, designed to calculate problems in science, engineering, and mathematics. They have almost completely replaced slide rules in almost all traditional applications, and are widely used in both education and professional settings.
In certain contexts such as higher education, scientific calculators have been superseded by graphing calculators, which offer a superset of scientific calculator functionality along with the ability to graph input data and write and store programs for the device. There is also some overlap with the financial calculator market.
Scientific calculators are used widely in any situation where quick access to certain mathematical functions is needed, especially those such as trigonometric functions that were once traditionally looked up in tables; they are also used in situations requiring back-of-the-envelope calculations of very large numbers, as in some aspects of astronomy, physics, and chemistry.
They are very often required for math classes from the junior high school level through college, and are generally either permitted or required on many standardized tests covering math and science subjects; as a result, many are sold into educational markets to cover this demand, and some high-end models include features making it easier to translate the problem on a textbook page into calculator input, from allowing explicit operator precedence using parentheses to providing a method for the user to enter an entire problem in as it is written on the page using simple formatting tools.
The first scientific calculator that included all of the basic features above was the programmable Hewlett-Packard HP-9100A,[1] released in 1968, though the Wang LOCI-2 and the Mathatronics Mathatron had some features later identified with scientific calculator designs. The HP-9100 series was built entirely from discrete transistor logic with no integrated circuits, and was one of the first uses of the CORDIC algorithm for trigonometric computation in a personal computing device, as well as the first calculator based on reverse Polish notation entry. HP became closely identified with RPN calculators from then on, and even today some of their high-end calculators (particularly the long-lived HP-12C financial calculator and the HP-48 series of graphing calculators) still offer RPN as their default input mode due to having garnered a very large following.
The HP-35, introduced on February 1, 1972, was Hewlett-Packard's first pocket calculator and the world's first handheld scientific calculator.[2] Like some of HP's desktop calculators it used reverse Polish notation. Introduced at US$395, the HP-35 was available from 1972 to 1975. HP continues to develop and market high-end scientific calculators, like the HP-35s and HP-49 series, which have been favored by scientists and engineers, in labs, offices, as well as in the field. In 1974, HP had the HP-65, which could be programmable.[3]
Texas Instruments, after the introduction of several units with scientific notation, came out with a handheld scientific calculator on January 15, 1974 in the form of the SR-50.[4] TI continues to be a major player in the calculator market, with their long-running TI-30 series being one of the most widely used scientific calculators in classrooms.
Casio and Sharp have also been major players, with Casio's FX series (beginning with the Casio FX-1 in 1972[5]) being a very common brand, used particularly in schools. Casio is also the #3[citation needed] player in the graphing calculator market, and was the first company to produce one (Casio fx-7000G).
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Graphing calculators have the ability to see a visual representation of graphs and equations. Scientific calculators have less features and can only perform numerical mathematical equations. Graphing calculators cost around $90 while scientific calculators can be found for under $10.
graphing calculators only. TI-83 and TI-84 calculators.
Most graphing calculators are around $50. You can probably find one that is cheaper online, but generally they cost about $50.
In the USA you can buy graphing calculators at the Wal-mart. Texas Instruments has a TI-84 that is reasonable.
yes you need one
There are several websites focused on mathematics that offer free online graphing calculators. Some of the best calculators are those found at Meta-Calculator, CoolMath, and Desmos.
Graphing Calculators such as those created by Texas Instruments have graph maker features as a core function of the device. Children in High Schools across North America have used graphing calculators in their course work.
Texas instruments is the best brand of math calculators. This is based on the ease of use, affordable price and a large number of functions that these calculators have.
A graphing calculator is used to plot graphs and solve equations. Most graphing calculators are programmable so one can create customized programs.
Someone can find a free online graphing calculator at Meta-Calculator. On Meta-Calculator one can find graphing, scientific, matrix, statistics, and programmer's calculators.
The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus is pretty much the standard in graphing calculators. Since they're the most popular and commonly used, most things that include demonstrations of graphing calculators will similarly use them, so I'd strongly recommend one. They also come with helpful instructions for most functions, and are required in a lot of college courses.