4 ms·

When you say you should use a computer, you mean for arithmetic and calculations right? Also calculators are hardly archaic. If I want to calculate something q

When you say you should use a computer, you mean for arithmetic and calculations right? Also calculators are hardly archaic. If I want to calculate something quickly I'll always go for my Casio FX-83GT, since I can type it much faster in there. They are archaic in the sense that the number of terms you can have can be limiting though... I think a good grasp of arithmetic is incredibly helpful in the real world, and is something that academics (like me, as a physicist) often lack, whereas "regular people" are much better at it. I also rarely bother with change, I pay with card when I can... I think doing anything more complicated than basic calculations on paper is pointless though

analog31 10y ago
I have a calculator too, though not a graphing one, and I use it for a similar reason: The keypad is convenient. But if I need to graph something, or do a repetitive calculation, then I'll turn to Jupyter. In fact, I have it on my tablet. I graduated from high school just as graphing calculators were introduced, so it never became part of my experience. What seems unfortunate about the graphing calculators is that its special symbiosis with K-12 math teaching limits the development of both. You can't add features to the calculator, or offer a free alternative as a phone app, without facilitating "cheating," and the textbooks can't introduce lessons requiring computational power beyond the capabilities of the calculator. Not to mention, the TI monopoly: Every family has to shell out for one of those things.
wycx 10y ago
For simple calculations when using a computer I suggest: http://speedcrunch.org/ http://speedcrunch.org/ For things with units: https://frinklang.org/ https://frinklang.org/ Since learning of it on hackernews a few months ago I find I use it frequently.

4 ms·

When you say you should use a computer, you mean for arithmetic and calculations right? Also calculators are hardly archaic. If I want to calculate something q

by joeberon 10y ago

analog31 10y ago
I have a calculator too, though not a graphing one, and I use it for a similar reason: The keypad is convenient. But if I need to graph something, or do a repetitive calculation, then I'll turn to Jupyter. In fact, I have it on my tablet. I graduated from high school just as graphing calculators were introduced, so it never became part of my experience. What seems unfortunate about the graphing calculators is that its special symbiosis with K-12 math teaching limits the development of both. You can't add features to the calculator, or offer a free alternative as a phone app, without facilitating "cheating," and the textbooks can't introduce lessons requiring computational power beyond the capabilities of the calculator. Not to mention, the TI monopoly: Every family has to shell out for one of those things.
wycx 10y ago
For simple calculations when using a computer I suggest: http://speedcrunch.org/ http://speedcrunch.org/ For things with units: https://frinklang.org/ https://frinklang.org/ Since learning of it on hackernews a few months ago I find I use it frequently.