The Texas Instrumental Calculator     

     Jennifer Saeteros

City College of New York

     ENGL 21007

Professor Elizabeth Von Uhl

       April 17, 2020

Table of Contents

Cover page…………………………………………………………………………1

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………….2

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………3

what is a calculator?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………3

The importance of calculators ……………………………………………………………………3

 History of calculators………………………………………………………………………….….4

The Build-up of Calculator and Function……………………………………………………………………………6

Input layer…………………………………………………………………………………………6

The processor…………………………………………………………………………………..….7

Output layer ………………………………………………………………………………………7

Power Source………………………………………………………………………………………8

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………9

Reference page…………………………………………………………………………………11

Introduction

What is a calculator?

    A calculator is an electronic device, where its purpose is to perform calculations that range from addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, to more complex math. These devices have allowed us to understand mathematics and other subjects on a greater scale. Calculators have improved and developed throughout time.  In our modern era, there now exists a significant number of calculators that are programmed to perform a specific task. Some commonly used calculators are scientific calculators, graphing calculators, printing calculators, online calculators, and basic calculators. In this essay, we will focus on the Texas scientific calculator. The scientific calculator is well- known for its compacted size and its ability to be carried without difficulty. The usage of a scientific calculator has been in the field of math, science, and engineering. Overall, calculators have been an essential tool that we, as a society, rely on.    

The Importance of a calculator 

    Calculators have been an essential tool since their creation. As a result, society has become more dependent on them. As mentioned before, calculators are used to performing specific tasks. For example, printing calculators are commonly used in shops, by business keepers, and accountants. This type of calculator allows them to keep track of payroll, calculate profit, and to print bill receipts(“6 Different Types of Calculators,” 2019). Another example of a calculator’s role is in the workforce of cashier workers. Cashier machines now have automatic calculators that will tell the cashier the direct change. These electronic devices have become essential tools in many more jobs. Furthermore, calculators are also a more accurate and fast way to perform complex and necessary calculations. Calculators are programmed machines, and this ensures that calculations have a lower margin of error. Accuracy is essential when performing tasks like when constructing a building, calculating the amount of electricity needed in a circuit, reporting taxes, or when solving a math problem. Also, a calculator performs calculations at a faster rate. The accuracy and speed are qualities necessary for scientists, engineers, and other areas that require massive calculation, which results in advancement in our society. Therefore, without complications and inaccuracy with computing, it has led to discoveries and advancements in technology, math or science theories, and more. In the case of using calculators in classrooms, it allows students to comprehend math on a larger scale. This device has allowed the understanding of mathematics and other subjects on a grander scale.    

History of Calculators 

Throughout time, calculators have evolved along with the technological advancement in our society. Sumerian and Egyptians first used the first form of a calculator around 2000 BC. The first form of the calculator was a hand-operated device called the abacus. Mathematical calculations were performed by using beads on rods and sliding these beads across the rods. The creation of the first mechanical calculator happened in 1642. The inventor of this calculator was Blaise Pascal and named after him. Pascal’s machine operated with geared wheels, and this allowed an individual to perform calculations with two numbers by repetition(Valentine, 2019).  A further step towards modern-day calculators happened in 1948. The Curta calculator was a mechanical calculator so compacted that it fits into a pocket. The inventor of the Curta calculator was Curt Herzstark. The price of this device was $125, and to perform calculations, someone had to spin the crank 10 or 20 times to find the answer to two big numbers. Accountants, engineers, and scientists widely used the Curta Calculator during the 1950s and 1960s( Stoll, 2004 ).

The innovation of the electronic calculator began in 1964 when the world’s first calculating computer gained popularity. The ENIC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) could solve significant numerical problems and fast at calculating when comparing to the previous versions of calculators. However, the ENIC consumed too much power and space. ENIAC weighed 27 tones, had about 5 million hand-soldered joints, and was composed of many electronic components. Therefore, the first step towards a calculator that was similar to modern-day calculators was in 1961. The ANITA calculator was the first electronic desktop calculator, and Control Systems Ltd created it. However, this electronic desktop calculator was equivalent to $8,000 in today’s money and sold worldwide because it was the only desktop calculator. All the electronic calculators were heavy, expensive, and bulky until 1967(Valentine, 2019).  In 1967, the company Texas Instruments released the Cal Tech calculator.(Figure 1) This calculator was more compact and was the invention that inspired the modern calculators we see today. The 45-ounce calculator had a keyboard with 18 keys and a visual output that showed up to twelve digits. By 1980, pocket and desktop calculators were changing their look to today’s calculators(Anuli Akanegbu, 2012). 

The Build-up of Calculator and Function

Input layer

            The outer layer of the calculator is the plastic case, and its purpose is to protect all the inner components. Underneath this plastic keyboard is a rubber membrane, the operational symbols labeled on the forty-plastic keyword. In addition, this plastic keyboard serves as visual guidance for inputting an operation.  The rubber keyboard is also known as the keyboard sensor. It is known as the keyboard sensor because by touching the keyboard, it triggers the system. Therefore, when an individual presses down on any button, it creates an electrical contact with the circuit under the keyboard. The circuit, in this case, is just a pathway that allows the flow of electrical pulse to the output. However, throughout the pathway of the electrical pulse, the conversion is made that will be mentioned later. To continue, the contact between the senor and circuit allows an electrical impulse through the circuit board.  Therefore, when the plastic keyboards are pressed, it allows the calculator to receive input( Peshin et al., 2018).  

The processor

            The processor chips are known as the brain of the calculator and are where the calculations take place. The processor identifies what buttons an individual pressed down on the keyboard. However, the process uses a specific language, similarly to how we use the English language. The language that these electronic devices understand and interprets is called binary. The Binary system consists of numerical numbers 1 and 0. The number 1 means that there is a signal, or a device is on, while the number 0 shows that there is no signal or a device is off.   These 1s and 0s are written in different combinations to represent a numerical number. Some examples of Binary are 0011 representing the number three, and 0101 representing the number five. The processor stores the binary input temporarily and then performs the operation that was inputted into the calculator. The binary form is then converted back to a number form called decimal form(Peshin et al., 2018).

Output layer

            The processor will then send the answer to the LCD(liquid-crystal display) screen. Technology, like cell phones and digital watches, uses an LCD screen. The LCD is the output which displays the final calculation to us. The LCD screen is located on the front cover of the calculator. The LCD screen rearranges light molecules to create a numerical number that is visible to our eye. Theses light molecules are a tiny grid of dots that are called pixels. LCD screens use millions of pixels, and on the screen, an individual can see seven bars or segments. These segments are arranged to any number that ranges from zero to nine(Figure 3) (“How do calculators work?”, 2019).

Power Source

            

Power source

Calculators are powered with lithium batteries or with renewable solar cells. Lithium batteries are long-life cells that last for many years. The lithium battery is located on the back of the calculator and covered by a battery cover.  The lithium battery is replaceable when the battery is no longer usable. Renewable solar cells provide power through a light source but, can be a problem when there is no light. The power source is a crucial component of the calculator because it is what gives powers and allows it to operate. 

Conclusion

Calculators have been an essential tool that we, as a society, have become dependent on. A calculator is an electronic device that performs calculations that range from addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, to more complex math. To continue, calculators have allowed us to perform specific tasks. Calculators are a more accurate and fast way to perform complex and necessary calculations. Throughout time, calculators have evolved along with the technological advancement in our society. In the year 1967, the company Texas Instruments released the Cal Tech calculator.  This innovation has led to the Texas Instrumental Calculator we use. This calculator was more compact and was the invention that inspired the modern calculators we see today. In this report, an individual can see how a calculator operates, from the input, processor, output, and power source. This device has allowed the understanding of mathematics and is in everyday life.  

Reference Page 

Anuli Akanegbu. (2012). The History of Calculators: From Adding Machines to Graphing Calculators. Technology Solutions That Drive Education. https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2012/11/calculating-firsts-visual-history-calculators

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Peshin, A., Kanchwala, H., Ashish, Thakur, V., Patil, V., & Staughton, J. (2018, September 24). 

How does a calculator calculate? Retrieved from https://www.scienceabc.com/innovation/how-do-calculators-work.html

Stoll, C. (2004). The Curious History of the First Pocket Calculator. Scientific American,

 290(1), 92- 99. Retrieved March 26, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/26172659

Valentine, N. (2019). The History Of The Calculator. Thecalculatorsite.Com. https://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/history-of-the-calculator.php

6 Different Types of Calculators: On The Basis Of Purpose. (2019, September 11). Retrieved 

from https://www.rankred.com/different-types-of-calculators/

(2020). Retrieved March 26, 2020, from Explainthatstuff.com website: 

https://cdn4.explainthatstuff.com/insidecalculator.jpg

(2020). Retrieved March 26, 2020, from Explainthatstuff.com website: 

https://cdn4.explainthatstuff.com/calculatorcount.gif

(2020). Retrieved March 26, 2020, from Pngkey.com  website: https: //      www.pngkey.com/png/full/360-3608585_calculator-2-free-lcd-by-rones-30a-solar.png