Calculator Input 12

[civeng80]

My old canon calculator I've had for 21 years finally gave up the ghost.

Ive been trying my son's canon calculator but dont like the input method, e.g. sin, cos, square root before number input i.e. operation done as you would write it on paper. They all seem to be like this nowadays.
I think the older calculators used reverse algebraic input, but they dont seem to have them anymore. I know Hp have RPN but dont want to get HP anymore prefer casio or canon.

Anyone have any suggestions ?

 

[XR250]

Real engineers use RPN - Nuff Said!

 

[JStephen]

Just get one and get used to it.

 

[hokie66]

My TI calculator has the input type you like. TI-30XA, but it is old and probably superseded. I used to like Canon as well, but they don't seem to be making my type anymore. The RPN guys like to pay a lot. Not worth the learning curve, IMHO, and I used one for a long time.

 

[KootK]

Newer HP RPN's can work in algebraic mode while you learn. The keys on their flagship models (50g) have lost the tactic feel which sucks. 32S is still a nice, low cost, tactile keyed machine. I have a $10 HP15C app on my phone that comes straight from HP. Frankly, I use it for 90% of my calcing theses days. Programming is better done in desktop apps nowadays.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[Ron]

HP for 40 years! Have only had 1 calculator die on me in that time....a 32SII that was about 15 years old.

 

[IRstuff]

There's a successor to the TI 30

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Texas-Instruments-TI-30X-IIS-Scientific-Calculator/1535939

TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
homework forum: //

http://www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx

faq731-376 forum1529

 

[civeng80]

Im old fashioned, dont like iphone apps, prefer to use real calculator.
Used Hp45 for about 10 years so I know about RPN. I think Hp is good not great very overated. My canon I now realise was very underrated. May give canon F-792SGA a go very cheap from amazon and ships to Australia.

Anyone have this calculator ?

 

[XR250]

32SII def. did not hold up like the 11C or 15C. Had at least 3 die on me. I am using an 11C right now that I bought off ebay and a 15c app on my iphone.
Been teaching my 14 yo daughter to use RPN for her chemistry class. I think she is hooked.
Can't really see going from RPN back to algabraic. The RPN is more efficient and gives your brain more of a workout.

 

[sponton]

I think the TI-89's allow the user to use rpn. They're very good calculators.

 

[darthsoilsguy2]

My biggest problem with RPN calculators

when HP upgraded their flagship G-series RPN calculator, they put the divide where the drop was, X where the divide was, - where the x was, + where the - was, and enter where the + was....

i've hated them ever since.

 

[jayrod12]

I have a casio fx-991MS. It's exactly like you want. Number first, then operator (classic scientific calculator). I refuse to go to RPN. The only calcs I'm doing with a calculator are simple nowadays anyway. Anything remotely involved I'm using excel.

 

[PMR06]

RPN like I did never

 

[IRstuff]

You guys are funny ;-)

Seems like RPN vs algebraic argument is similar to Big and Little Endian argument in computers.

TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
homework forum: //

http://www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx

faq731-376 forum1529

 

[sponton]

@PMR

haha that was actually clever.

 

[Archie264]

It’s demonstrable that RPN saves keystrokes. RPN also shows intermediate results and there’s no need to use parenthesis or a memory storage button. That doesn’t make RPN better, necessarily, but just be aware that it’s not simply a stylistic issue; it’s more efficient, as measured by keystrokes. As for algebraic calculators wherein the user types in the whole equation before getting any result I see no advantage to that over simply using Excel to do the same.

I believe there are three calculators that are accepted by the NEECS testing folks: a Casio, a TI, and an HP. If one of those tests is in your future I’d select from the models on their list.

 

[XR250]

it’s more efficient, as measured by keystrokes

Exactly. Even for day to day stuff it will save time = money.
Same reason I use a Mac over a PC but let's not go there….

 

[jayrod12]

So I save a few keystrokes, if I don't make any mistakes. Which would likely take forever for me to stop doing, so in the end I consider it a wash. Maybe when my hand is forced by my casio (and the backup casio still in the wrapper) dying and there being no other option but RPN, I'll get one and learn it.

Until that time, no thanks.

 

[KootK]

I've discovered a hidden drawback of RPN.

After a couple of decades of RPN'ing, I had to take an important exam using a non-RPN calculator. As I studied and worked problems with the calculator, I found that I was coming up with incorrect answers much of the time. Worse, it was a systemic problem. I'd run the same calc five times and get the same, wrong answer all five times. Eventually, I realized that I'd forgotten how to do order of operations. Or, more precisely put, I'd forgotten how to care about doing order of operations. That stuff's irrelevant in RPN which is, of course, normally a selling point. It took me a few days to start getting correct answers again and, even at that, I didn't feel anywhere near as confident on the exam as I would have were I using my HP.

It is for this reason that I've specifically not imposed RPN on my offspring despite an almost overwhelming urge to tie RPN usage to allowances.

RPN like I did never

Love it!

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[Archie264]

What exam force you to use an non-RPN calculator.