Frankly I can't imagine I'm going to use it in the next 8 years either. (they only allow those two calculators in the test) Otherwise it sits in a drawer and gathers dust. I have one of the TI BA-IIPlus calculators and the only time I have used it in the last 8 years was to take a certification exam. Sure it works but it probably isn't the best tool available most of the time.

(happens now and then) The HP-12C is a fine piece of equipment but if you have a spreadsheet available it's kind of like using a slide rule. Most serious number crunching is done on a spreadsheet so the only use for one is if you are in a meeting or need to do a very quick calculation when a computer isn't readily available. Look at any business school class these days any you will not find very many HP-12Cs or TI BA-IIPlus calculators anywhere. Matlab, Maple, and Mathematica for more money if you're serious. Spreadsheets are excellent but have no native ability to solve or graph calculus equations. And once you have a good understanding, you're just reinforcing that same knowledge. Reason 2 has less to do with the calculation than it has to do with IT and computer science. Reason 1 disappears if you spend most of your time sitting in front of a relatively modern computer.

Reverse polish is good on old style calculators for exactly 2 reasons:ġ) You have the limited input and output of a calculator keyboard and screen.Ģ) You more closely mirror what a turing machine/computer is doing, so if you're trying to understand one it's a good way to get closer to the architecture Time saved can be used to do simple checking (plugging the answer back into the question). Both statistical and scientific functions. You can see your work and modify or correct mistakes at will. The only rule for assignments and exams was no collaboration.Īdvantages of a spreadsheet: Repeatable. We also had open book exams, and were permitted to use any calculation tools we wished. I did an Astronomy masters (finished 2002) and significantly cut down my time doing assignments involving simple algebra by using a spreadsheet. As long as calculus isn't involved, a spreadsheet is best.

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