The Calculations of Calculators

On many occasions, people overlook the value of the calculator.  As is the case with many new graphing calculators, the amount of knowledge stored in them exceeds the average American’s intelligence.  Many people do not recognize the significance of such a powerful instrument; they do not know how to graph basic cubic functions or calculate values by using the Taylor series.

Many modern day Americans do not realize that the slide rule (for the greater part of the 20th century) was the main instrument of calculation.  Calculators are a rather recent innovation that has changed the face of math forever.  It is no longer necessary to solve complex functions since a calculator can do that for you. Many Americans are neglecting to learn how to do calculus since “it is not important” or “it is too hard.”  The truth is that math is not hard, and it is not necessary to carry your graphing calculator with you at all times just in case a basic addition problem decides to jump into the fray.  It is indeed possible to live without the calculator, yet it makes life so much easier.  When asked to graph an unknown function, (as long as it is parametrized correctly) it is possible and entirely likely to use a graphing calculator.

The calculator is actually a piece of highly advanced circuitry.  Since “the button compresses a rubber pad below it, which in turn pushes an electrical wire into contact with another one,” a circuit is created between the two parts.  (lifeslittlemysteries)  The calculator operates on binary code, so every signal sent is coded by a specific set of 1s and 0s.  Of course the calculator must have a battery in order to run (or four in the case of graphing calculators).  Some small calculators are run by solar energy and some are users of precharged batteries.  Calculators are incredibly beneficial to society, but we must not forget the math that was used to create them.

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/other-gadgets/calculator.htm

http://www.lifeslittlemysteries.com/1408-how-calculators-calculate.html