A Scientific Calculator is a type of electronic calculator, usually but not always handheld, designed to calculate problems in science,engineering, and mathematics. They have almost completely replaced slide rules in almost all traditional applications, and are widely used in both education and professional settings.
Functions
Modern scientific calculators generally have many more features than a standard four or five-function calculator, and the feature set differs between manufacturers and models; however, the defining features of a scientific calculator include:
- scientific notation
- floating point arithmetic
- logarithmic functions, using both base 10 and base e
- trigonometric functions (some including hyperbolic trigonometry)
- exponential functions and roots beyond the square root
- quick access to constants such as pi and e
In addition, high-end scientific calculators generally include:
- cursor controls to edit equations and view previous calculations
- hexadecimal, binary, and octal calculations, including basic Boolean math
- complex numbers
- fractions calculations
- statistics and probability calculations
- programmability — see Programmable calculator
- equation solving
- matrix calculations
- calculus
- letters that can be used for spelling words or including variables into an equation
- conversion of units
- physical constants
Uses
Scientific calculators are used widely in any situation where quick access to certain mathematical functions is needed, especially those that were once looked up in tables, such as trigonometric functions or logarithms; they are also used in situations requiring calculations of very large or very small numbers, as in some aspects of astronomy, physics, and chemistry.
They are very often required for math classes from the junior high school level through college, and are generally either permitted or required on many standardized tests covering math and science subjects; as a result, many are sold into educational markets to cover this demand, and some high-end models include features making it easier to translate a problem on a textbook page into calculator input, e.g. by providing a method to enter an entire problem in as it is written on the page using simple formatting tools.