I'd like to add that the latest calculators have an unlimited stack. This makes usage very easy. I strongly recommended you purchase a HP48gx or 49g. This will make you a much better person.
My mission is to win converts for RPN. I will post RPN trolls until slashdot devotes a front page story to the benefits of RPN muhahaha!!!
Here's the first troll:
-------------------
Choice of calculators important in competition
By Dave Bourell
Director, Calculator Applications Contest
Although there are dozens of different calculators on the market which are suitable for use in the Calculator Applications Contest, contestants should exercise some care in the purchase of their calculator.
The calculator should be of the "engineering" type, having the appropriate mathematical functions in addition to being having the capability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Further, the calculator must have standard scientific functions including the trigonometric functions (such as sin, cos, tan) and their inverses, and the logarithmic functions (like log, ln, x2, ex, yx). Because questions often involve calculations with , a "pi" key will prove helpful.
In addition, the calculator should be from a reliable manufacturer, since a calculator malfunction during a test would spell sure defeat. Finally, the calculator should be affordable.
The best calculator for the Calculator Applications Contest is not the most expensive one with lots of features. In fact, some high-end calculators prove to be a liability because they require too many keystrokes and therefore too much time to perform necessary calculations. For example, some expensive calculators have an alphabet and can be programmed to perform a series of operations automatically. To change from the "degrees" mode to the "radians" mode, these calculators require as many as six keystrokes. A calculator with a "deg rad" key that toggles between these modes will be easier to use as will one that can switch between fixed to scientific notation.
There are features on the more advanced (and more expensive!) calculators which contestants will not need for the Calculator Applications Contest. Most seasoned coaches agree that the programmability is not required, although it is often useful to have a solution to the quadratic equation on hand. (Program memory must be cleared before the test is taken, so you would need to memorize the program steps and enter them back after the test has started.)
Students do not use graphing capabilities of graphing calculators, but UIL does permit graphing calculators on the contest. Some calculators have unit conversion keys that will change a number in "inches" to "meters," for example. These features are useful, but the benefit is not significant, since these calculators do not generally appear at the State Meet. Calculators with these advanced features are still legal for use in the Calculator Applications Contest. Refer to the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules for more information on the types of calculators allowed. Basically, you can use any calculator that does not require auxiliary electric power and is not modified.
There are two different types of calculator systems in wide use. These are the RPN type (Reverse Polish Notation) and the algebraic-entry type. Based on recent State Meet surveys, the RPN calculators are much more popular in the contest than algebraic-entry calculators. Hewlett Packard (HP) uses the RPN operating system while all others use the algebraic system. The RPN calculator operates on numbers like you do when you do longhand arithmetic. When you add two numbers, for example, you write the first number, then you write the second number, then you add. If after writing the numbers you decide to multiply, that is possible. Similarly, in an RPN calculator you enter both numbers, then you perform some mathematical operation. The calculation is actually performed when the operation key (+, -, cos, etc.) is pressed, making it unnecessary to have an "=" key. Most RPN calculators have an automatic memory ("stack") feature enabling the calculator to store up to four numbers awaiting a computational command.
The algebraic entry calculators, as this name suggests, operate on numbers as you would write an algebraic expression. To write the sum of two numbers, for example, you would write the first number, then write plus (+), then write the second number. The sum would be performed when the equals (=) key or another mathematical operation is indicated.
I recommend that you obtain the best calculator you can comfortably afford, for several reasons. For one, you will be using your calculator in non-academic as well as academic activities, in addition to the Calculator Applications Contest, and in these uses you will eventually find many applications for the advanced calculator features. Secondly, the calculator stimulates careful thought and mathematical learning. The better the calculator, the more good exercise the mind receives. Thirdly, a programmable calculator is a handy, inexpensive way to begin learning computer programming, a skill which in the future will be as important as knowing how to drive a car is now. Finally, calculators are fun and their potential for constructive amusement is enormously increased by the programming capability. So get the best calculator you can afford, even if it does not directly benefit you in the Calculator Applications Contest. As discussed above though, too many advanced features may slow down operation which is a real liability on the Calculator Applications Contest, so some compromise may be necessary.
We have historically published a survey of the calculators that State Meet contestants bring to compete with at the State Meet. This year, almost everybody brought hp 32S or hp 32SII calculators. In fact, of the 187 calculators registered at the State Meet, only 32 were "non-hp 32S" calculators (17 percent). We do not recommend any particular brand of calculator. Remember, this discussion of calculators is valid only for the Calculator Applications Contest. The other UIL academic contests (i.e., Science) may have different rules regarding calculators.
Both RPN and algebraic types of calculators are widely used and both have their advantages in different applications. The UIL will not give advise on specific calculators or even specific types of calculators. Instructors, students and parents must work together to select the best calculator for a given use.
Look for a calculator that
can add, subtract, multiply, and divide
can perform trigonometric funcions such as sin, cos, tan and their inverses
can perform logarithmic functions such as log, ln, x2, ex, yx
is from a reliable manufacturer; and that
is affordable.
Slashdot Mirror
and used RPN of couse... Renounce algerbraic entry NOW!
because of morons like yourself?
Did you know that RPN is the preferred entry system of NASA engineers?
You are undoubtly correct.
All *real* engineers and scientists use RPN. Why don't you? Try RPN today!
I'd like to add that the latest calculators have an unlimited stack. This makes usage very easy. I strongly recommended you purchase a HP48gx or 49g. This will make you a much better person.
My mission is to win converts for RPN. I will post RPN trolls until slashdot devotes a front page story to the benefits of RPN muhahaha!!! Here's the first troll: ------------------- Choice of calculators important in competition By Dave Bourell Director, Calculator Applications Contest Although there are dozens of different calculators on the market which are suitable for use in the Calculator Applications Contest, contestants should exercise some care in the purchase of their calculator. The calculator should be of the "engineering" type, having the appropriate mathematical functions in addition to being having the capability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Further, the calculator must have standard scientific functions including the trigonometric functions (such as sin, cos, tan) and their inverses, and the logarithmic functions (like log, ln, x2, ex, yx). Because questions often involve calculations with , a "pi" key will prove helpful. In addition, the calculator should be from a reliable manufacturer, since a calculator malfunction during a test would spell sure defeat. Finally, the calculator should be affordable. The best calculator for the Calculator Applications Contest is not the most expensive one with lots of features. In fact, some high-end calculators prove to be a liability because they require too many keystrokes and therefore too much time to perform necessary calculations. For example, some expensive calculators have an alphabet and can be programmed to perform a series of operations automatically. To change from the "degrees" mode to the "radians" mode, these calculators require as many as six keystrokes. A calculator with a "deg rad" key that toggles between these modes will be easier to use as will one that can switch between fixed to scientific notation. There are features on the more advanced (and more expensive!) calculators which contestants will not need for the Calculator Applications Contest. Most seasoned coaches agree that the programmability is not required, although it is often useful to have a solution to the quadratic equation on hand. (Program memory must be cleared before the test is taken, so you would need to memorize the program steps and enter them back after the test has started.) Students do not use graphing capabilities of graphing calculators, but UIL does permit graphing calculators on the contest. Some calculators have unit conversion keys that will change a number in "inches" to "meters," for example. These features are useful, but the benefit is not significant, since these calculators do not generally appear at the State Meet. Calculators with these advanced features are still legal for use in the Calculator Applications Contest. Refer to the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules for more information on the types of calculators allowed. Basically, you can use any calculator that does not require auxiliary electric power and is not modified. There are two different types of calculator systems in wide use. These are the RPN type (Reverse Polish Notation) and the algebraic-entry type. Based on recent State Meet surveys, the RPN calculators are much more popular in the contest than algebraic-entry calculators. Hewlett Packard (HP) uses the RPN operating system while all others use the algebraic system. The RPN calculator operates on numbers like you do when you do longhand arithmetic. When you add two numbers, for example, you write the first number, then you write the second number, then you add. If after writing the numbers you decide to multiply, that is possible. Similarly, in an RPN calculator you enter both numbers, then you perform some mathematical operation. The calculation is actually performed when the operation key (+, -, cos, etc.) is pressed, making it unnecessary to have an "=" key. Most RPN calculators have an automatic memory ("stack") feature enabling the calculator to store up to four numbers awaiting a computational command. The algebraic entry calculators, as this name suggests, operate on numbers as you would write an algebraic expression. To write the sum of two numbers, for example, you would write the first number, then write plus (+), then write the second number. The sum would be performed when the equals (=) key or another mathematical operation is indicated. I recommend that you obtain the best calculator you can comfortably afford, for several reasons. For one, you will be using your calculator in non-academic as well as academic activities, in addition to the Calculator Applications Contest, and in these uses you will eventually find many applications for the advanced calculator features. Secondly, the calculator stimulates careful thought and mathematical learning. The better the calculator, the more good exercise the mind receives. Thirdly, a programmable calculator is a handy, inexpensive way to begin learning computer programming, a skill which in the future will be as important as knowing how to drive a car is now. Finally, calculators are fun and their potential for constructive amusement is enormously increased by the programming capability. So get the best calculator you can afford, even if it does not directly benefit you in the Calculator Applications Contest. As discussed above though, too many advanced features may slow down operation which is a real liability on the Calculator Applications Contest, so some compromise may be necessary. We have historically published a survey of the calculators that State Meet contestants bring to compete with at the State Meet. This year, almost everybody brought hp 32S or hp 32SII calculators. In fact, of the 187 calculators registered at the State Meet, only 32 were "non-hp 32S" calculators (17 percent). We do not recommend any particular brand of calculator. Remember, this discussion of calculators is valid only for the Calculator Applications Contest. The other UIL academic contests (i.e., Science) may have different rules regarding calculators. Both RPN and algebraic types of calculators are widely used and both have their advantages in different applications. The UIL will not give advise on specific calculators or even specific types of calculators. Instructors, students and parents must work together to select the best calculator for a given use. Look for a calculator that can add, subtract, multiply, and divide can perform trigonometric funcions such as sin, cos, tan and their inverses can perform logarithmic functions such as log, ln, x2, ex, yx is from a reliable manufacturer; and that is affordable.