Power Toys Calculator

[W. eWatson]

I like the calculator (Subject) because it uses expressions, but the
functions are pretty limited. For example, I wanted to find a cube root.
Nothing. Is there another tool like it (accessible by the Start menu) that
does allow more (engineering-like) expressions?
--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

 

[Jose]

I like the calculator (Subject) because it uses expressions, but the
functions are pretty limited. For example, I wanted to find a cube root.
Nothing. Is there another tool like it (accessible by the Start menu) that
does allow more (engineering-like) expressions?
--
                                W. eWatson

              (121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std.time)
               Obz Site:  39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32"W, 2700 feet

                     Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

That is very sad.

The basic Windows calculator will do a cube root (or any root) if you
are in the scientific view, enter your number, check the Inv box, then
click x^3. You get the idea - you can choose x^y for any root if you
have the Inv box checked. Try it!

I used google to search for: windows calculators

There are plenty of free downloads, so you can try some and see what
suits your fancy. Of course, downloads can be dangerous sometimes.

Here is one that does at least cube roots with just one click:

http://www.download32.com/combo-calculator-i4535.html

 

[W. eWatson]

That is very sad.

The basic Windows calculator will do a cube root (or any root) if you
are in the scientific view, enter your number, check the Inv box, then
click x^3. You get the idea - you can choose x^y for any root if you
have the Inv box checked. Try it!

I used google to search for: windows calculators

There are plenty of free downloads, so you can try some and see what
suits your fancy. Of course, downloads can be dangerous sometimes.

Here is one that does at least cube roots with just one click:

http://www.download32.com/combo-calculator-i4535.html

Cube root. Not cube. There is none on the MS calculator as far as I can
tell. I'm looking for a calculator that uses expressions. I've looked on the
web, but will try again. Didn't realize there were view on the MS calc. I
had it on sci anyway.

Looking at power tools again, I see it's possible to create functions. It
looks like one can define things like h(x)=log. Yes, it works. With a little
playing around I might be able to get a cube root function.

--
W. eWatson

(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>

 

[Andrew McLaren]

Cube root. Not cube. There is none on the MS calculator as far as I can

The "Inv" operator does work for x^2 and x^3, as well as the usual trig
functions. So that will get you the cubed root. Check the online Help
for Calculator (from the "Help" menu option).

But, yes: Windows' Calculator is a pretty basic applet.

This may be overkill, but ... Wolfram Research (makers of Mathematica),
now have a Mathematica Home Edition:

http://www.wolfram.com/products/mathematicahomeedition

The Home Edition provides all the capabilities of the full-grown
Mathematica - which is of course, one of the most powerful calculator
software tools available. And at ~US$295, Mathematica Home Edition costs
a mere fraction of the regular edition. There is good support for
astronomical data, which may be of interest.

Hope it helps,

Andrew

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Cube root. Not cube. There is none on the MS calculator as far as I can
tell.

You'll be pleased to know that you're wrong. To take the cube root,
for example of 8, set it Scientific View, then click the following:

8 (or whatever you want the cube root of)
x^y
3
1/x
=

 

[Jose]

You'll be pleased to know that you're wrong. To take the cube root,
for example of 8, set it Scientific View, then click the following:

8 (or whatever you want the cube root of)
x^y
3
1/x
=

WTH!

What's wrong with my way:

8
Check the Inv box
x^3

We get the same answer anyway, but fewer clicks for me. A couple more
clicks for roots 3 and up.

Oh well, now that he has the right View going on, he should have
whatever root he wants.

Anybody know what the heck that squirt button is for?

 

[Alan Edwards]

On Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:36:50 -0700 (PDT), in

You mean the sqrt button?
It is for doing a square root.

....Alan

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

WTH!

What's wrong with my way:

8
Check the Inv box
x^3

Nothing's wrong. Two ways to do the same thing.

We get the same answer anyway, but fewer clicks for me. A couple more
clicks for roots 3 and up.

No argument from me. Fewer clicks is better.

Oh well, now that he has the right View going on, he should have
whatever root he wants.

Anybody know what the heck that squirt button is for?

Squirt button? What squirt button?

 

[Jose]

Nothing's wrong. Two ways to do the same thing.


No argument from me. Fewer clicks is better.



Squirt button? What squirt button?

That (squirt) was meant as an attempt at humor.