Technology in classrooms may be evolving, but one item that has remained a constant is the need for one of the best scientific calculators. Scientific calculators continue to not only be a valuable aid in completing complex math equations but also in providing an additional teaching tool in the classroom and at home.
Scientific calculators have several features, including helping students and professionals do floating-point arithmetic, logarithmic functions, exponential functions, trigonometric functions, and giving fast access to several commonly used mathematical functions, like Pi.
Scientific calculators are often grouped with graphing calculators, but we’ve focused specifically on non-graphing scientific calculators.
What To Consider Before Buying a Scientific Calculator
You’ll probably need to choose between a scientific and a graphing calculator when you go calculator buying; the latter has far more features. Because a graphing calculator can perform more tasks, you might be questioning why you should get a scientific calculator. There are a number of important ones. If you don’t require all the features of a graphing calculator, you might decide to save money by going with a scientific calculator as they are less expensive. A scientific calculator alone can answer a wide range of issues, both simple and complex.
In such circumstances, a scientific calculator would be your only choice. For instance, you might not be allowed to use a graphing calculator during some exams or assessments for school, college, or the workplace. Numerous scientific calculators are permitted for use during the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) engineering test, however graphing calculators are not. This might also be true for other college examinations and high school exams.
How We Chose the Best Scientific Calculators
We began by choosing the most reliable scientific calculators that would be acceptable for use on exams. Texas Instruments and Casio models are among them. Although the HP 33s and HP 35s calculators are authorized, they are currently hard to find, which has led to speculations that they have been discontinued. The TI-36x, Casio fx-115, and fx-991 calculators are among the various types you can purchase that have been given the NCEES seal of approval.
Of course, not every person looking to buy a calculator wants to work as an engineer or surveyor. We also chose simpler, more cheap versions for use in routine calculations because of this. A scientific calculator comes in handy and won’t be as distracting as the calculator on your phone, whether you’re doing your taxes or need one for school. Solar cells, which make it simpler to keep your calculator operating without worrying about backup batteries, were another useful feature we kept an eye out for.
Finding the best scientific calculator for your needs can have a significant impact on one’s achievement, whether you’re a student in junior high or college or a professional in the medical or surveying fields. The top scientific calculators for the purpose are listed below.
1- Texas Instruments TI-36X
One of the most popular and extensively used calculators for students is the Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro. It is an excellent test-taking calculator since it is acceptable for exams by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, whereas a graphing calculator might not be. For simple legibility, the calculator incorporates a four-line display. For a battery that lasts longer, this calculator also includes a solar cell.
2- Casio FX-991EX Engineering/Scientific Calculator
If you’re searching for a somewhat more sophisticated Casio calculator, the FX-991EX is a fantastic choice. It has a larger memory with additional functionalities and a natural textbook layout for simple reading. Spreadsheets and matrix computations may be shown on the display, and it can even create a QR code so you can edit your calculation from your phone. There is a solar panel on this calculator as well.
3- Casio fx-115ESPLUS2 2nd Edition Scientific Calculator
This second generation of Casio’s sophisticated scientific calculator features a pricing point and set of features that will appeal to both professionals and academics. It is simple to view your calculations in their entirety, just as they would on paper, thanks to the 16-digit, four-line display. 280 different functions are available. For longer battery life, the calculator incorporates a solar panel and a durable design.
4- Sharp EL-501XBGR Scientific Calculator
The calculator is simple to use because of its ergonomic design and 10-digit LCD display screen. The Sharp has 131 pre-programmed functions and one variable statistic. The sturdy and portable calculator is made for both home and office use.
5- Casio FX-260 Solar II
The Casio FX-260 is a fantastic choice to purchase if you’re looking for a straightforward and user-friendly calculator. It’s a fantastic choice if you prefer a simpler display because it’s a reasonably priced, little solution with a single-line display. This calculator has a sliding casing to keep it safe and is also solar-powered.
6- Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator
The TI 30X series is an affordable calculator that is on the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying’s list of approved calculators. It has a straightforward two-line display that shows the input and results simultaneously, making it simpler to double-check for mistakes or incorrectly typed equations. You won’t run out of juice in the middle of the exam thanks to the solar and battery power.
7- Helect 2-Line Engineering Scientific Calculator
This calculator can be used for one- and two-variable statistical calculations and has 240 scientific functions. The three angle modes that are supported by the Helect, which may display functions in scientific/engineering notation mode, are degrees, radians, and grads. When not in use, the Helect is protected by a hard, sliding casing, and inside the case are instructions on how to utilize the two-line digital display.
