Using a Calculator to Teach Math

Having a calculator can be useful for math teachers and students. Not only do they help with homework, but they can be used for number games and other special projects. Even the smallest of calculators can last for a long time with the right materials and care. However, using a calculator is not a guarantee of success. It is best to use one strategically. Ideally, a calculator should be used in the early grades to teach math facts and skills, while limiting its use later on.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) recommended in its 2002 survey that the best calculator is the one that makes the student most comfortable. In the late 1960s, hand-held electronic calculators were a luxury item. In the 1970s, the technology behind the calculators became faster and cheaper, and the pocket-sized models started to appear. The technology used to make calculators is the same that is used in modern computers, but the components were far cheaper and the devices were made from durable plastics and aluminum.

Some calculators use an integrated circuit that includes a processor chip, sensors, and transistors. These components combine to perform a long series of simple subtractions. A result line appears on the bottom of the screen, showing the answer in 10-digits. The two-digit exponent is also displayed. Some scientific calculators have equation recall. This function is a must have for higher level math, especially in Algebra.

Some of the first calculators used the same old technology, based on magnetic-core memory and transistors. These were cheaper than the silicon transistors found in high-end calculators. Eventually, microprocessors were developed, which allowed for more advanced calculations. During the 1980s, the price of calculators fell as production techniques improved. Some firms saw the margin of a calculator priced well above its worth as a good profit opportunity.

The calculator that is most likely to be the smartest is the inverse of the aforementioned. It is a less-common function, but it's nonetheless listed above the more common functions.

In the 1980s, pocket-sized calculators started to become more commonplace. These were smaller versions of the pocket computer of the 1970s. The displays were the same as those in earlier calculators, but with an added advantage. Instead of filament lamps, these calculators used liquid-crystal displays. These early models were short-lived, but they still required a lot of power. The result was bright numbers against a dark background.

A few years later, the British Bell Punch/Sumlock Comptometer ANITA was the world's first all-electronic desktop calculator. It used cold-cathode tubes, vacuum tubes, and Dekatrons. It weighed 33 pounds, which is more than some modern calculators. It was advertised as being for "continental Europe" and a "world's first" all-electronic calculator.

The calculator that was most likely to be the aforementioned is the Maple Math Engine. It powers the Maple Math app, which allows you to do a lot of math. It includes fully worked solutions to mathematical problems.