Essay about calculator

An electronic calculator is typically a portable electronic device used to perform calculations, ranging
from basic arithmetic to complex mathematics. The first solid-state electronic calculator was created in
the early 1960s. Pocket-sized devices became available in the 1970s, especially after the Intel 4004, the
first microprocessor, was developed by Intel for the Japanese calculator company Busicom. They later
became used commonly within the petroleum industry . Modern electronic calculators vary from cheap,
give-away, credit-card-sized models to sturdy desktop models with built-in printers. They became
popular in the mid-1970s as the incorporation of integrated circuits reduced their size and cost. By the
end of that decade, prices had dropped to the point where a basic calculator was affordable to most and
they became common in schools. Computer operating systems as far back as early Unix have included
interactive calculator programs such as dc and hoc, and calculator functions are included in almost all
personal digital assistant type devices, the exceptions being a few dedicated address book and
dictionary devices. In addition to general purpose calculators, there are those designed for specific
markets. For example, there are scientific calculators which include trigonometric and statistical
calculations. Some calculators even have the ability to do computer algebra. Graphing calculators can be
used to graph functions defined on the real line, or higher-dimensional Euclidean space., basic
calculators cost little, but scientific and graphing models tend to cost more. In 1986, calculators still
represented an estimated 41% of the world's general-purpose hardware capacity to compute
information. By 2007, this had diminished to less than 0.05%. Design Input Electronic calculators contain
a keyboard with buttons for digits and arithmetical operations; some even contain "00" and "000"
buttons to make larger or smaller numbers easier to enter. Most basic calculators assign only one digit
or operation on each button; however, in more specific calculators, a button can perform multi-function
working with key combinations. Display output Calculators usually have liquid-crystal displays as output
in place of historical light-emitting diode displays and vacuum fluorescent displays ; details are provided
in the section Technical improvements. Large-sized figures are often used to improve readability; while
using decimal separator instead of or in addition to vulgar fractions. Various symbols for function
commands may also be shown on the display. Fractions such as are displayed as decimal
approximations, for example rounded to . Also, some fractions can be difficult to recognize in decimal
form; as a result, many scientific calculators are able to work in vulgar fractions or mixed numbers.
Memory Calculators also have the ability to store numbers into computer memory. Basic calculators
usually store only one number at a time; more specific types are able to store many numbers
represented in variables. The variables can also be used for constructing formulas. Some models have
the ability to extend memory capacity to store more numbers; the extended memory address is termed
an array index. Power source Power sources of calculators are batteries, solar cells or mains electricity,
turning on with a switch or button. Some models even have no turn-off button but they provide some
way to put off . Crank-powered calculators were also common in the early computer era. Key layout The
following keys are common to most pocket calculators. While the arrangement of the digits is standard,
the positions of other keys vary from model to model; the illustration is an example.