Re: Non-graphic calculator Message #10 Posted by Ron Ross on 16 Feb 2006, 9:56 a.m., in response to message #1 by Coby
In the non-graphing catagory, the selection is more limited in many ways than the graphics line.
There are actually 4 entry methods for pocket calcualtors:
Algebraic-no precidence, used by business/finance calculators such as the Hp10B, Hp 17Bii, Ti's BA-ii and Sharps EL 713??? (I don't know ALL the pocket calculators off the top of my head). I wounldn't suggest any of them, unless you are considering a business major. They all are great financial calculators though, but only the Ti has built in trig.
Algebraic - AOS, older algebraic entry with post fix trig functions. Harder to find than the more modern Algabraic, but still offered on some Sharp scientifics and amazingly the Hp33s (this is a selectable OS calculator as it is also RPN, see below). I actually like this algebraic system best.
Algebraic - EOS (Equation entry OS, also called VPAM: Visually Perfect Algebra Method?? by Casio, DAL by Sharp). This is now used by most pocket calculators and nearly ALL graphics calculators. You key in equations exactly as you see them in the text book. Nearly all of todays calculators on the shelf are of this type. This includes Hp's lower end Hp9s and Hp30s as well as all Ti's, Casio's and high end Sharp's (as I stated, the very cheapest Sharp will still be an AOS probably).
RPN - Reverse Polish Notations, clearly the favorite on this board. Only the Hp33s offers this. Also the Hp33s is the only real pocket programmable on the market. That is why it is $50 and everything else is $10-20. If you are a serious engineering/physics/science type student, this is the calculator to buy.
However, if you just need to learn math, the calculator is merely a tool to help and for learning math ie trig, nearly any scientific will do for you.
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