View Full Version : Math and the calculator
Oneill474
Feb 4, 2011, 05:48 AM
why is it, when you add 24.55+63.36 +0.99= 88.9
the calculator does not show the 0. the answer of course is 88.90
joypulv
Feb 4, 2011, 06:02 AM
Maybe you have it set to only one decimal place.
joypulv
Feb 4, 2011, 06:05 AM
Or it's set to not show trailing zeros.
ebaines
Feb 4, 2011, 07:14 AM
It is indeed unfortunate that calculators are not smart enough to display the correct number of signiifcant digits. If it could, then when you multiply 3 x 1.25 it would display the answer of 4, not 3.75. To get the "correct" answer you would have to enter 3.00 x 1.75. I think that would annoy people to no end!
Doesn't it depend on what calculator you are using? My TI-83 will give all of the decimal places if I have it programmed correctly.
ebaines
Feb 4, 2011, 07:26 AM
Doesn't it depend on what calculator you are using? My TI-83 will give all of the decimal places if I have it programmed correctly.
I'm not familiar with the TI-83, but don't you have to tell it how many decimal points to display? Or is it smart enough to do it automatically?
I'm not familiar with the TI-83, but don't you have to tell it how many decimal points to display? Or is it smart enough to do it automatically?
It's a graphing calculator and I have to tell it how many to display.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/TI-83.png/200px-TI-83.png
Unknown008
Feb 4, 2011, 08:28 AM
My scientific calculators too have this mode (Norm mode) and I set the digits to be displayed.
One is fx-82MS and the other is with my little sister right now.