A calculator is a small device used to perform mathematical calculations. It can add, subtract, multiply, and divide, along with more complex functions like square roots, percentages, and scientific calculations, depending on the type. Basic calculators have simple number buttons and function keys, while scientific calculators include additional features for advanced math or engineering tasks. Calculators are commonly used in schools, offices, and homes to solve problems quickly and accurately, offering a faster alternative to manual calculations. They can be either handheld or built into computers and smartphones.

What is a "calculator"?

calculator

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A scientific calculator is a type of calculator designed to perform more advanced mathematical functions than a basic calculator. In addition to simple operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, it can handle functions like square roots, trigonometry, logarithms, and powers. Scientific calculators are often used by students, scientists, engineers, and mathematicians for solving complex problems in fields like physics, chemistry, and mathematics. They typically have more buttons and features compared to standard calculators, allowing for a wide range of calculations.

What is a "scientific calculator"?

scientific calculator

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A printing calculator is a type of calculator that prints out calculations on paper as they are made. It is often used in accounting, finance, and business for tasks that require both calculation and documentation. These calculators can perform basic arithmetic, as well as more complex functions like tax calculations, and provide a printed record of the results. The printed output helps keep a physical record of calculations for reference, making it easier to track and verify work. Printing calculators are especially useful for tasks that involve large volumes of numbers or require a record trail.

What is a "printing calculator"?

printing calculator

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A programmable calculator is a type of calculator that allows users to store and execute a series of calculations or commands automatically. It can be programmed to perform repeated or complex tasks without needing to input the same instructions each time. These calculators are often used in fields like engineering, mathematics, and science, where users need to perform the same set of calculations frequently. Programmable calculators have memory functions that store these instructions, making them efficient for repetitive tasks and saving time. They often have more advanced features compared to basic calculators.

What is a "programmable calculator"?

programmable calculator

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An RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) calculator is a type of calculator that uses a different method for inputting calculations compared to traditional calculators. In RPN, operators, like plus or minus, are entered after the numbers, rather than before or between them. For example, instead of typing "3 + 4," one would enter "3," "4," and then the "+" symbol. This method eliminates the need for parentheses and simplifies complex calculations. RPN calculators are often favored by engineers and scientists for their efficiency in handling complex mathematical operations.

What is an "RPN calculator"?

RPN calculator

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A mechanical calculator is a type of calculator that operates using gears, levers, and other mechanical components to perform arithmetic calculations. It was widely used before the advent of electronic calculators. Users would turn a crank or press buttons to input numbers, and the machine would physically move parts to carry out operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Mechanical calculators were often used in offices, banks, and businesses for tasks like bookkeeping and accounting. While they have been replaced by electronic models, they were important in the development of modern computing.

What is a "mechanical calculator"?

mechanical calculator

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A calculating machine is a mechanical device used to perform arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It typically operates by turning knobs, pressing buttons, or cranking levers to input numbers and functions. The machine then uses gears or other mechanical parts to carry out the calculations. Early calculating machines were used in offices, banks, and businesses to speed up manual calculations, and they played an important role in the development of modern computers. While most calculating machines are no longer used, they laid the foundation for today's digital calculators.

What is a "calculating machine"?

calculating machine

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An abacus is a simple, ancient tool used for performing arithmetic calculations. It originated in Mesopotamia around 2300 BCE and was later adopted by many other cultures, including the Chinese, Egyptians, and Romans. The abacus consists of a frame with rods or wires, each holding a series of beads that can be moved back and forth. Each bead represents a specific value, and by moving the beads in different patterns, users can add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers. The abacus was widely used before the invention of more modern calculating devices and is still used in some places today, especially for teaching basic math or in areas where electronic devices are not available.

What is an "abacus"?

abacus

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Napier's bones are a set of rods or rectangular blocks used for multiplication and division. They were invented by John Napier, a Scottish mathematician, in the early 17th century. Each rod is marked with a series of numbers, and the rods are arranged to perform calculations by aligning them in specific ways. Napier's bones simplify multiplication by turning it into a series of addition steps, making it easier to handle large numbers. This tool was an important development in the history of mathematics and helped pave the way for later calculating devices and modern multiplication methods.

What are "Napier's bones"?

Napier's bones

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A reckoning board is an early calculating tool used for performing arithmetic operations, often by merchants, traders, and accountants. It consists of a flat surface, usually made of wood or stone, with marked lines or columns to help organize numbers. Small counters or pebbles are used to represent numbers, and they are moved along the lines to perform calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. Reckoning boards were widely used before the invention of more advanced calculating devices and served as a precursor to the abacus and other early calculating tools.

What is a "reckoning board"?

reckoning board

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A counting rod is an ancient tool used for counting and performing arithmetic calculations. Made from materials like bamboo, ivory, or wood, these rods were typically marked with numerical values and used by ancient civilizations such as the Chinese, Greeks, and Romans. Counting rods were often arranged in patterns or placed in rows to represent numbers. By manipulating the rods, users could perform basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The use of counting rods played an important role in early mathematical practices and paved the way for later developments in calculation tools.

What is a "counting rod"?

counting rod

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A comptometer is an early type of mechanical calculator that was widely used for business and accounting purposes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It has a series of keys, each representing a number, and is used for performing arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The comptometer works by pressing keys to input numbers, and the device then automatically performs the calculations. It was a significant advancement over earlier calculating devices, as it allowed for faster and more efficient calculations.

What is a "comptometer"?

comptometer

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The difference engine is an early mechanical calculator designed to perform complex mathematical calculations automatically. It was invented by Charles Babbage in the 1830s and was capable of calculating functions with multiple terms and producing mathematical tables with high accuracy. The machine used a series of gears and wheels to compute differences between numbers, which were then used to generate results. Unlike earlier calculating tools, the difference engine could store and automatically compute large sets of numbers, reducing human error. Although the full machine was never completed during Babbage's lifetime, the difference engine was a significant step in the development of modern computing machinery.

What is the "difference engine"?

difference engine

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The Curta is a small, hand-held mechanical calculator invented by Curt Herzstark in the 1940s. It is known for its compact design, resembling a small cylindrical device, and was capable of performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The Curta used a system of gears and a rotary crank to input numbers and perform calculations. It was highly valued for its portability and precision, and was popular among engineers, scientists, and mathematicians in the mid-20th century. Although it was eventually replaced by electronic calculators, the Curta is considered a significant achievement in the development of mechanical computing devices.

What is the "Curta"?

Curta

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A slide rule is a mechanical device used for performing mathematical calculations, particularly multiplication, division, and functions like square roots and logarithms. It consists of a ruler with a sliding central part, and scales marked along its length. By sliding the parts of the rule, users can align numbers and quickly find the results of calculations. The slide rule was widely used by engineers, scientists, and mathematicians before the advent of electronic calculators. While it has mostly been replaced by digital tools, it remains an important part of the history of calculating devices due to its efficiency and portability.

What is a "slide rule"?

slide rule

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Here you will learn some English words related to calculating tools such as "calculator", "abacus", and "counting rod".

English Words for "Calculating Tools"