Calculators
The descendant of the abacus has greatly evolved since the days of Babylonians playing with beads. Leave the beads for the Bedazzled crowd, and marvel at the range of modern calculating machines, from the itty-bitty solar-powered arithmetic aids moms keep in their purses, to high-powered technologies that might even impress Will Hunting (the Good). Calculators, while diverse, fall under four main categories: basic, graphic, scientific, and financial.
Basic Calculators
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- Simple, small, and easy to use calculators for day to day operations.
- Fine for basic budgeting and math problems in the home, office, or school.
- They come in bright colors for young children, big screens for easy viewing, and enlarged keys on certain models.
- These are the least expensive models available. Try models by Casio,
 Canon, Sharp, HP, or TI.
- Printing calculators help keep track of records. Try Sharp and Canon.
- The smallest of these calculators are solar powered and can fit in a purse or wallet.
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Scientific Calculators
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- Scientific calculators usually have one or two-line screens and don't display graphs.
- They lack a large display screen but they are excellent for basic math functions, statistics, trigonometry, calculus, computer science, physics, engineering, algebra, and chemistry. As you can see they are by no means a simple calculator.
- They are advanced enough to handle high school and college math and science courses. Choose one with an alphanumeric keyboard for the widest variety of functions, such as the HP33s.
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Graphing Calculators
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- Graphing calculators are the standard for advanced math and science courses, and useful, as well, for engineering, computer science, and trigonometry.
- With some 600 functions, as well as substantial amounts of storage, and even textbook data entry compatibility, they are the most advanced types of calculators available for home use. Most models have enhanced capabilities and larger screens for displaying 3D graphs, vectors, and more.
- For the most part, the best models cost at least $100. To save money, search for a used model.
- A junior high math student would benefit from using a Texas Instrument's TI-73 Explorer, a good tool through pre-algebra. For high schoolers or college students, a TI-89 would be better suited for the demands of statistics, physics, and calculus.
- Graphing calculators may not be allowed on some standardized tests or in some classes. Be sure to check with your teacher or professor.
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Financial Calculators
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- Financial calculators are made for professionals and businesses as well as for students.
- They will benefit anyone involved with economics, finance, accounting, or statistics.
- They offer a superior level of calculation for solving cost-sell-margin problems, as well as computing repetitive calculations, depreciations, book value, cash-flow analysis, payback, net future values, and more.
- Try the BA II Plus Professional by Texas Instruments. Hewlett Packard also offers an advanced business calculator with more than 250 functions and a big 28KB storage: the HP 17bII. Try also Sharp or Canon.
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Texas Instrument TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator
