What Exactly Is a Scientific Calculator?

Question

I need a Scientific Calculator this year for school, and I'm just wondering, if it's different than a regular calculator from the store, or is it the same just with a fancier name?

Answer 1

The term scientific calculator is somewhat vague.  Generally, compared your standard calculators scientific calculators work with trigonometric functions, base 10 and e log/exp functions, and some other special functions.  

Graphing calculators I feel, esp. the higher end models that can do symbolic mathematics, are not really scientific calculators.  They are more like computers or miniature computer algebra systems.

The question you should really be asking is what kinda of scientific calculator do I need.  The answer to that is check the package of the calculator and see what courses and standardized tests (SAT,ACT,...)  the calculator is used for.

The best calculator for you is one that is not power enough to be banned for tests, but good enough to where you don't have to do long calculations.  Yet, most standard calculators do that.  One of the biggest features on Sci. calculators is mutli-line display where usually at least one line is an input and the other is an output.

I really recommend a two line or more display, because the input line helps you keep track of your inputs and you input the calculation as you would on paper... so it is more natural.

Answer 2

A scientific calculator is a type of electronic calculator, designed to calculate problems in science (especially physics), engineering, and mathematics.

The most common features are:

    * Scientific notation for calculating large numbers

    * floating point arithmetic

    * logarithmic functions, using both base 10 and base e

    * trigonometry functions (some including hyperbolic trigonometry)

    * exponents and roots beyond the square root

    * quick access to constants such as pi and e

Answer 3

If you have a Windows computer with XP or Vista, you have a scientific calculator. Run the calculator application.  Click on 'View' at the top and then choose 'Scientific'.  A larger calculator with many more functions will appear among them

Sine, Cosine and tangent

Logarithm

exponent

Integrals

You can also change the numbering system from decimal to hex or binary.

Most scientific calculators you can buy will support these functions.  Many will support many more

Answer 4

it is a calculator that can do 'fancier' functions.

A normal calculator can do the basic mult. div. and percent and such

A SCIENTIFIC calculator can squareroot, and integrate, (many more)

also, they can do multiple equations at a time. E.g. 4+5/3*25 (all at once)