Scientific calculator?

[TheTurbonator]

I know this has been discussed in another thread and just like the other thread, the Casio I have is getting on my tits by displaying every answer as a fraction first. To display an answer in decimal form, you have to press the shift key and then the equals key again. Okay not the end of the world but in my opinion having to press 2 more keys to get an answer you want, is just time consuming, unnecessary and un-ergonomic (is that even a word?).

I start my Physics degree in February, so if anyone has any suggestions of a decent calculator, any advice would be much appreciated. Bear in mind it has to be something that will be allowed to be used on my course and exams.

I don't mind spending a fair few bob on one, as long as it's worth it.

[Engineer1]

I lost my trusty calculator I used for my Engineering degree, and the replacement Sharp calculator does the same, I think it's for better accuracy or something but it is damned annoying.

[TVR MAN]

What model of Casio do you have?

If the fx-85 model then press shift then setup/mode then 2.

[Switch]

Surely if you just put it in Dec mode then it'll display dec rather than fractions

[TheTurbonator]

The one I have is a fx-83 and thanks for the help TVR MAN, I've now managed to change the default setting so it now displays in decimals.

Looking around it seems the Casio FX-991ESPLUS gets good reviews, with some saying its features are invaluable for a Physics degree. So for the sake of £15 I might just upgrade to one anyway.

[TheTurbonator]

Strange, my fx-83 says 9.

[FunkyNige]

TheTurbonator said:

I start my Physics degree in February, so if anyone has any suggestions of a decent calculator, any advice would be much appreciated. Bear in mind it has to be something that will be allowed to be used on my course and exams.

The uni will have a list of approved calculators so you may be better off waiting to see what's on the list before forking out for one.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

I was in Argos the other day and they had a bucket load of Sharp full scientific calculators reduced to £1.

Considering my grandparents bought me my first calculator when I started secondary school in 1974 and it cost £110, and it only had +,-,x and divide. I think my granddad would have been on about £25/week at the time as a security guard so about a month's money!