calculator

• TechTarget Contributor

1) 1) A calculatoris an instrument which performs arithmetic functions on numbers. The simple calculatorscan perform addition, subtraction, and division. Advanced calculators are capable of handling exponential operations, roots, logarithm s, trigonometric functions, as well as hyperbolic functions. Internally, certain calculators actually complete all of these functions by repeating the process of adding.

A majority of calculatorsthese are powered by power to function. Batteries are portable and portable calculators are popular with Engineering students and engineers. Before 1970 a more basic version of calculator, the slide rule , was often employed. It consisted of a slat of wood, also known as the slide, which could be moved in and out of a reinforced pair slats. Both the slide and the outer pair of slats came with calibrated numerical scales. A movable, transparent sleeve called the cursor was used to align numerals onto the scales. The slide rule didn't require any power source, but its precision was limited, and it was required to go through a process of learning before becoming proficient with it.

One of the oldest calculators Abacus is still used in some regions in the Far East. The abacus makes use of beads to indicate numbers. Like the slide rule the abacus requires no source of energy. Its beads are located in parallel rows and they can be moved up and down to denote calculations. The theory is that a skilled abacus user can do calculations the same speed as a person who is equipped with a battery-powered calculator.

As calculators were more sophisticated in the 1970s, they began to be able to make computations involving variable (unknowns). They became the very first personal computer. Personal computers today can be used for these kinds of operations, and most are provided with the ability to run a virtual calculator program that actually appears on screen, akin to an actual handheld calculator. The buttons are operated with a click and point.

In theory, a computer is a calculator which works with binary numbers, and has a significantly larger memory. However, in reality the computer is from a basic calculator due to the vast array of other tasks it can be used for.