| A calculator is a device that is used for performing | | | | The complexity of the computer varies with the |
| numerical calculations. The first calculator was the | | | | purpose of the calculator. There are also calculators |
| abacus, which was constructed as a wooden frame | | | | that help calculate the monthly installments of loans, |
| with beads sliding on wires. Calculations were made by | | | | mortgages, and auto loans. They are called loan |
| moving these beads up and down the wires. The | | | | calculators, mortgage calculators, and auto loan |
| abacus was very much in use long before the | | | | calculators, respectively. |
| adoption of the written Arabic numerals, and it is still | | | | The simple calculator used for simple calculations has |
| used by some merchants in China and elsewhere in | | | | four main parts. There is a power source, which may |
| Asia.Though the calculator is a handheld | | | | be either a battery or a solar panel; a display from |
| microelectronic device, in the past, they were as large | | | | LED lights; electronic circuitry; and a keypad comprising |
| as the computer of today. The first few computers | | | | of the ten digits, the four arithmetic functions, the equal |
| were mechanical desktop devices that were replaced | | | | sign, the decimal point, on and off buttons, a cancel |
| by electromechanical desktop calculators and then by | | | | button and some other basic functions. There are |
| electronic calculators. Nowadays, students in | | | | more complex scientific calculators that are useful for |
| developed countries are allowed to use calculators for | | | | engineering and accounting. They help in trigonometric, |
| schoolwork. However, there is still a debate going on | | | | statistical, and mathematical functions that make the |
| about if it is right to introduce calculators to children, as | | | | work easier for the scientist and engineer. The most |
| they may then lose their capacity of calculating | | | | advanced calculators can even display graphics, are |
| mentally without the use of a calculator. The | | | | programmable and include computer algebra systems |
| modern-day calculator is designed not only for | | | | features. |
| calculations, but also to perform specific operations. | | | | |