[CraigD]

In post #109 of “Riddles”, Jay-qu asks an interesting question

what kind of calculators do you guys use?

My answer is so long, I feel the need for a new thread just to contain it.

Keeping it short, however, my current calculators of choice are both ones I wrote myself:

• On my windows PC, a couple written in the M programming language, one with 32767 significant digits and another with about 16000000. I mostly use it in programs, but sometimes directly from the language’s command line.
• On my PalmOS handheld, one written in Hotpaws basic, with a measly 127 significant digits. My usual interface to it is as an RPN calculator acting on the contents of the clipboard.

In Post #4 or “Topic for seminar” coldhead introduced a elegant language, Ruby, a full programming language that features a built-in arbitrary precision calculator. The most simple interface to it is the command line, eg:

C:\>ruby -e "print (9**9)**9"
196627050475552913618075908526912116283103450944214766927315415537966391196809

With all the number-crunchers at scienceforums, I’m sure many of us have favorite homemade, public, commercial, or built-in calculators on an number of platforms. So, everyone, what is your favorite calculator? And Why?

[C1ay]

On my desk I keep a simple TI-25X. On my Palm I use EasyCalc. On my PCs I use a KASH/KANT math shell when the OS calculator doesn't suffice. Sometimes I will also just write a custom program to solve a particular problem.

[UncleAl]

HP-35. Don't gild the lily unless you really need a gold-plated flower.

[alexander]

bc, python or ti92+ if you need a hand held one, cuz you can run gcc on it

[Jay-qu]

I like my TI-83, it does all I need it to - with some extras that im slowly getting the hang of. The only thing was that it only has up to 100 digit numbers - not that I need any higher, but just for stuffing arounds sake it would be good

[CraigD]

With 4 replies after 45 hours, this tread has fallen well short of my expectations. I’ve seem a more spirited response to the “what’s you favorite calculator” at a croquette tournament! (yes, an actual croquette tournament)

I’ll make a desperate attempt to salvage it. Alternate topic:

What are the features of the perfect calculator? Does such a calculator exist?

Here’s my short list of features

• Arbitrary precision. Number of significant digits limited only by available memory, and Gibibytes of that.
• Lots of forms of numeric representation: exact integer, rational, real and complex numbers in terms of rationals to rational powers and as many of the important transcendental numbers as possible.
• Flabbergasting speed. Likely achieved through some sort of massively parallel architecture along the lines of a Raw chip array
• A Self contained, portable, USB device. A small display, keyboard, and battery, but stick it into a USB port and have a pretty application interface, as well as enabling high-number-crunching applications that support it.

And my short answer to “does it exist?”: I’m pretty sure not yet.

[Turtle]

I have paper & pencils, a $20 Casio 99 Function portable, the Windows Calculator on this machine, & an antique Borland Turbo Basic. After you all stop laughing yourselves sick & spewing your drink of choice out your nose holes, here is what I wish for that doesn't exist. Huge integers within my reach but beyond my grasp & voice interface - both input & optional output -, large visual display so I don't need a spectacle, & storage for long lists of those integers.

[CraigD]

Originally Posted by Turtle

I have paper & pencils, a $20 Casio 99 Function portable, the Windows Calculator on this machine, & an antique Borland Turbo Basic.

You also, I have observed, have a scanner, which greatly enhances the expressive power of your paper & pencils!

… here is what I wish for that doesn't exist. Huge integers within my reach but beyond my grasp

For your occasional huge integer needs, you might find Ruby useful. It’s freeware, small (about 5MB of essentials, 35MB of frills), and can be used right from the DOS/Windows/Unix command line, but is pretty slow, and without using programming statements, has only the basic math functions. This “getting started” link tells all one need to know to install and use it for simple calculations.

Maybe somebody knows of a smaller, faster arbitrary precision calculator?

[Buffy]

Alexander will hate me. My only calculators are Excel, the built-in one in windows that pops up from the function key on my keyboard, and the free ones I get as handouts at tradeshows. Half the time if its an interesting problem that has a process in it, I'll write a c++ program.

Long ago I had a long string of HPs, (enter > =), but I really don't need them...

Cheers,
Buffy

[GAHD]

My favorite calculator? Texas instuments Ti84p. Sweet.