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I can't believe someone was so proud of this idea they patented it. Then came the second WTF: it's actually a physical calculator (and an early-nineties model a

by Udo 15y ago

I can't believe someone was so proud of this idea they patented it. Then came the second WTF: it's actually a physical calculator (and an early-nineties model at that). If anything, this idea would have been neat as an app. And you shouldn't have to guess the "right-ish" answer by some margin, instead make it a social game where you get points for getting as close to the correct answer as possible. Enter your estimate, instantly get the correct solution and your points. That could be fun in classrooms.

neonkiwi 15y ago
The physical calculator allows students to use this calculator in the classroom. If a student was using a smartphone on a test, how does the teacher know at cheating is not going on? That said, this calculator does allow a no-estimation-necessary mode, but entering that mode causes some LEDs along the top to blink. If the student thinks he or she can get away with it while the teacher is looking away, those LEDs actually keep flashing for a while after switching back to estimate-first mode. I think it's a good idea! The calculator's ease of use is stopping people from thinking about what a correct answer should look like.