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Calculator

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A scientific calculator that can help with math problems and equations.

Calculator

A calculator is a small electronic device that helps you do math. It can add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers. You can also use it for more tricky math problems.

Calculators were first made in the early 1960s. Small pocket calculators became popular in the 1970s. Today, you can find calculators in many sizes and prices. Some are very small and cheap, while others are bigger and do more things.

There are different kinds of calculators. Basic ones do simple math. Scientific calculators can do more, like trigonometric and statistical calculations. Graphing calculators can draw pictures of math problems.

Most people have a calculator on their smartphones or tablets. But you can still buy stand-alone calculators for school or work.

Calculators have buttons for numbers and math signs. They show the answer on a screen. Many use a special kind of screen called a liquid-crystal display.

Fun Facts

  • The first electronic calculator was made in the early 1960s.
  • Pocket calculators became popular in the 1970s.
  • Today, most phones have a calculator app.

How It Works

When you press the buttons, the calculator follows steps to find the answer. It remembers the numbers and the math sign you choose. Then it shows the result on the screen.

Calculators are very useful for school, homework, and everyday life. They make math easy and fast!

Images

A Casio JS-20WK solar calculator, a handy tool for doing math!
An old mechanical calculator called the CURTA Type I, used for complex math before modern computers.
A calculator screen showing different fraction calculations.
A close-up view of the inner parts of a Casio FX-991S scientific calculator.
A desktop calculator with indicator lights showing memory status and error signals.
An old mechanical calculator from the 1600s, displayed in a museum in Paris.
An old mechanical calculating machine invented in 1877, showing early technology used for math problems.
A 1925 patent drawing of an early electrical calculator used for measuring power lines.
An old calculator showing its LED display made of seven-segment digits.
The Olivetti Programma 101 was one of the first programmable desktop calculators, invented in the 1960s. This museum display shows its compact metal body, keyboard, and built-in printer.
A vintage Adler 81S pocket calculator from the late 1970s.
An old CASIO CM 602 Mini Electronic Calculator from the 1970s, showing how people did math before modern computers!
An Elka-22 Bulgarian calculator, a classic example of early computing technology.
A thin, energy-efficient hand-held calculator from the past, showcasing clever electronic design.

Related articles

Smartphone
Tablet computer
Liquid-crystal display

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Calculator, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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