Basic Calculator vs Scientific Calculator: What to Choose
There are many different kinds of calculators out there that come with a range of different features and types and are designed to quickly compute mathematical problems. Basic calculators are designed to handle addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but advanced calculators like scientific calculators can perform more complex actions.
Choosing the right type of calculator depends on what is the need and use for a calculator — be it simple mathematical problems or complex equations.
What is a Basic Calculator?
A basic calculator is designed to perform basic arithmetic and is also referred to as a 4-function calculator. This type of calculator is programmed to do addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. It is commonly used by school students and storekeepers who want to do basic math like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, to add monthly budget, to total the bill or calculate change or tip and require no scientific functions.
Scientific Calculator
A scientific calculator is used for computing advanced functions, helping one to perform complex calculations that is commonly seen in advanced mathematics, engineering, and science problems. These calculators have more buttons than a basic or desk calculator and allows for more than addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The extra buttons enable you to write and solve a range of complex equations.
What’s The Difference Between Basic Calculator and Scientific calculator?
1. Functions
Basic calculators have mainly four functions — addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Scientific calculators allow the user to go beyond these four functions and solve complex problems.
While a scientific calculator can easily perform the tasks of a basic calculator, the reverse is not possible. Students from the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering require constant use of scientific calculators to solve problems in trigonometry, logarithm, probability, scientific numbers that have a multiplication by 10 to a certain power and π problems.
2. Display Size
Orpat scientific calculators come with larger display sizes than a basic calculator which has a smaller screen and limit on the number of applications. For those with vision issues, a scientific calculator may be more apt with the relatively larger display screen.
3. Price and availability
A scientific calculator price is relatively more than that of a basic calculator given the more advanced functions they offer. A basic calculator is readily available in almost every stationery store unlike scientific calculators which perhaps are available in bigger stationery stores, or can be looked at on websites like Orpat group.
4. Type of values handled
Basic calculators can handle smaller values whereas a scientific calculator can handle larger numbers and is useful when it comes to gathering data or working as a physicist or chemist. It can also calculate negative scientific notation. The scientific calculator can develop a graph of the function whereas the basic calculator cannot.
5. Uses of basic and scientific calculator
A basic calculator will be able to do most of the complex calculations required in stores and daily life but when it comes to advanced and complex mathematics problems, a scientific calculator helps. Buying an Orpat scientific calculator is always beneficial as it can do the work of a basic calculator as well as any complex calculations like integration, derivatives, matrices, determinants, code conversion of electronics like binary to hexadecimal and many others.
When looking for a calculator of any kind, make sure it contains all the functions one would need for exams, projects or even workfront. Orpat group has a wide range of calculators — both basic and scientific calculators to cater to everyone. Login to Orpat group website, and dive into the collection of calculators there, pick one that best suits your need as well as budget.