Do I need a Scientific Calculator for Engineering? Well, if you also want to know the proper solution to this question then I will request you to read this article. My name is Madhurima Mandal and I am an NITIAN at NIT Durgapur. So, I think you will read my experience and believe my words.
The invention of the calculator is a giant step that was taken in the 19th Century. It gives a breakthrough to mechanical calculation by doing basic mechanical calculations very easily. At that time normal Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division problems were solved by calculation. With the flow of time, calculators are enriched with modern features that help us solve algorithmic calculations by programming any function or graphic method.
This calculator is generally known as Scientific Calculator. It is now broadly used in many scientific fields a physician, a chemist, and different types of engineers used the scientific calculator as their requirements. Point to be noted that every scientific calculator is not suitable for engineering but a Scientific calculator is needed in Engineering.
What is a Scientific Calculator
A scientific calculator is an electronic calculator, either desktop or handheld, designed to perform mathematical operations. It not only performs basic mathematical formulation, but it also solves many trigonometric functions, logarithms, sine/cosine, exponential operations, and algebraic problems easily. It also can handle numbers on a much vaster scale, which can be useful when it comes to collecting data or working as a physicist or chemist, or scientist.
| Best Scientific Calculators | Price in India |
|---|---|
| 1. Casio FX-100MS 2nd Gen Non-Programmable Scientific Calculator | Rs 975 |
| 2. Orpat Scientific Desktop Calculators SC-401 | Rs 694 |
| 3. Casio FX-350MS 2nd Gen Non-Programmable Scientific Calculator | Rs 513 |
| 4. Victor 940 10 Digit Advanced Scientific Calculator with 2-Line Display | Rs 2274 |
| 5. Oreva Engineering Scientific Calculator | Rs 475 |
How Does a Scientific Calculator Work
A scientific calculator is an electronic device. It will be storing data by your input and after easily doing all the complex mathematical formulation it will simply give you an output – the answer. There are different types of notation for all types of functions like square root, sine/cosine, log, exponential, to the power, etc. You have chosen these notations as per your problems. Handling the scientific calculator is as easy as handling a smartphone. There will be a manual with the box, so if you have any doubts you easily clear that with the help of it.
Uses of Scientific Calculator
The finest model of a scientific calculator is not needed all the time to solve your problems because usually, a normal scientific calculator has all the functions you need. The scientific calculator has some specific advances that’s why the last few years mainly for science students it’s been a great companion. Not only students but also teachers must need a scientific calculator for their lab works.
Top 5 Uses for a Scientific Calculator
1. Basic Functions and Exponents
Calculate basic functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. You should keep in mind that the subtraction sign (-) is different from a separate negative function. This can end up causing some confusion concerning negative and positive numbers when you start using your calculator at first because the signs look similar.
Along with negation, you can also raise numbers to another power and find a square root of a number or formula. Exponents are used in almost any math course for higher secondary and graduation levels but only a scientific calculator can perform any algebraic function.
A scientific calculator allows you to give the input of different order equations but in basic calculator, always gives you the wrong result because it won’t be able to correctly determine which numbers should be addressed first. As you can use a calculator for a known number, you can also it for an unknown number where the advantage level of the calculator increases.
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2. Logarithms
After completing the basic course on math when you will enter the world of Real Mathematics- calculus and trigonometry, you will likely have to learn about logarithms. These formulas help you to calculate speed, area, and much more. In the past, these were done almost completely by hand.
Now it takes only a moment to input the proper information and solve the problem using a calculator. Another reason that you may want to consider using a scientific calculator for logarithms is that they have a storing memory, which allows storing of certain equations. If you are working on something that requires several steps, you can tell your calculator (Programming Calculator) to store what you have already input into the device. This will help to solve in a fast way without any miscalculations.
3. Sine, Cosine, Tangent Function
Once you enter the Trigonometry or calculus world of mathematics, these functions will be your backbone for all types of visualizing problems. Especially for the engineering and architectural field, a scientific calculator must be needed to solve your functional problems. A sine, cosine, or Tangent function is used to find the measurement of a certain angle, especially when other sides or angles are unknown.
You may also encounter the inverse of that function, which is often used to find the hypotenuse of a triangle. Some certain angles’ values are known to us but if you want to remember all angle’s values then it will be a hectic memory game.
Here the Scientific calculator makes our path easy with these inbuilt functions. Nowadays in a Calculator, we can perform graphing. One type of Scientific Calculator that is the Graphical Scientific Calculator has been made to solve these types of problems.
Note
Make sure that your calculator isn’t in radian mode if you want your answers in degrees, because this can throw off your equation and give you an entirely different answer than the one you are looking for.
4. Scientific Notation
A scientific calculator isn’t just used for complicated mathematical problems one of its best uses may lie in calculating scientific notation. For numbers that can’t be written in decimal point form because they are too large, a normal calculator won’t be able to cover it, A scientific calculator solves the problem very easily.
In a field related to science, engineering, and mathematics You must be using Scientific notations. In scientific notation negative sign plays a vital role because in all algebraic equations the Negative sign tells a different story, where the basic calculator failed to it scientific calculator easily solves the problems.
For those looking to enter engineering, there is a special mode that can help you calculate equations specific to your field. You’ll find it as the ENG display mode on your device, and it’s designed to help communicate numbers orally and through reading.
5. Binary Functions
Solving Binary functions with a calculator is the best work of inventors because for several sets finding the values of elements of that set is amazing. You’ll most likely encounter this in algebra or calculus when you are solving for an unknown, but you may also discuss it when learning about the Cartesian product and subsets.
Note
You need a Programming Scientific Calculator for pursuing binary operations without wasting your time on another round of calculation.
Click on the link to see how you operate binary functions on the calculator.
Needs a Scientific Calculator for Engineering – Why?
Being an engineering Student, ( Myself Madhurima Mondal, 2nd Year Chemical Engineering, NIT DGP) I can surely clarify your all doubts about the usage of a scientific calculator for Engineering. Clearly, for two years, there are different math courses along with each departmental syllabus. Engineering mathematics includes not only basic calculation, but in that syllabus, you will be introducing different types of functions and formulas.
The syllabus includes differential calculus, integral calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations with applications to various engineering problems and Mean Value Theorems; Indeterminate Forms, Taylor’s and Maclaurin’s Theorems, complex analysis, Numerical methods, optimization, etc. So you can understand how important the scientific calculator is.
Apart from the math course, different departmental courses like mechanical, chemical, civil, and electrical have a large field of using the Scientific Calculator. If you don’t have a Scientific Calculator with you for pursuing engineering it will be more difficult to survive because engineering problems are complicated. And of course engineers themselves make life easier with different gadgets so why we will not be using this invention of science!
Now came to a point where a question arrived.
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Is a Scientific calculator Allowed in the Exams of IIT or NIT?
Yes, A scientific calculator is allowed in the course of engineering as well as in Exam Halls of IIT and NIT. One thing to remember is that though scientific calculators are allowed the Programming Calculator is not allowed for exams that can store previous equations or solutions.
Note
A scientific Calculator brand named Casio is highly recommended to all users of calculators not only for its price but also it’s quality and availability.
Final Thoughts
In brief, we have put all the points of a Scientific Calculator and hope that the answer to using a Scientific calculator for engineering clears all your doubts. If you are going to be an Engineer student don’t forget the need for a Scientific Calculator. Hope that this article helps you.
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