1/x button on calculators.

[simoncc]

I can see why the 1/x button might not be used much in basic office life by the plus, minus and add on VAT people but in schools it'd be very useful as I know from experience.

And the button is very useful for those who need to do slightly more complex calculations in everyday life but who have no need of a scientific calculator.

 

[marinyork]

I agree the 1/x is very useful. I also agree that on some scientific calculators the hierarchy of buttons is a bit irritating but it seems to be taking the biscuit to me to use Mathematic or Maple to do that!

 

[Fnaar]

If you put in the number 5318008 and turn your calculator upside-down it says "boobies"

 

[colly]

1/x is just the reciprocal function.

Reciprocals are used to replace division by multiplication, since multiplying by the reciprocal of a number is the same as dividing by that number.

It is useful but not, if like most people, you just work on accounting figures.

I would have thought it would be required on school calculators.

 

[ianrauk]

I like chips....

 

[Arch]

At last, a still, small voice of reason

+1

 

[simoncc]

I might be a bit dim, but I don't follow this. The button only works if the numerator is 1. Most fractions do not have a numerator of 1 so the button is of no use. You just need to divide the bottom into the top (4 button pushes). Surely if you want to change 5.987/346 into a decimal you just divide.

If you've got 5.987 on the display and want to divide 346 by 5.987 how would you do it?

Witht the 1/x button all you need to do is divide 5.987 which is already on the display by 346 and then press the 1/x button. Without that button it isn't so conveniently done.

 

[bonj2]

Which is three button presses, not one.

The current largely unused and therefore pointless % and square root buttons on basic calculators of all brands seems to be standard now and has been for many years. I'd be interested to see what reasoning, if any, went into this decision.

I've also noticed that even many scientific calculators have the 1/x function as the secondary function on a key, so requiring two button presses, not one. This is odd as the 1/x function is easily the most common one I use after the four main ones and I can't be the only one to have found this.

I can see why the 1/x button might not be used much in basic office life by the plus, minus and add on VAT people but in schools it'd be very useful as I know from experience.

And the button is very useful for those who need to do slightly more complex calculations in everyday life but who have no need of a scientific calculator.

The % is only pointless TO YOU, because you're not an "add on VAT" person. For an add on vat person, it's probably more useful than 1/x.


Also, not having the 1/x button forces you to think ahead that you are going to want to do that, and press "1 /" first. Therefore is more likely to be educationally beneficial to kids not having it.

 

[tyred]

Also, not having the 1/x button forces you to think ahead that you are going to want to do that, and press "1 /" first. Therefore is more likely to be educationally beneficial to kids not having it.

Then don't have calculators in schools at all. They weren't allowed in my secondary school and I'm forever grateful as I can do maths in my head, unlike today's teenagers.

 

[Scratch]

If you deal with VAT can't you just multiply or divide by 1.175 or .175 as appropriate? I'm not sure why you'd need the % button?

Though on my calculator it has an Ans button so I just type the number and then divide by Ans.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

If you put in the number 5318008 and turn your calculator upside-down it says "boobies"

I've just tried that with my calculator. I've tapped it, shaken it and shouted at it, but it hasn't said a word. Should I take it back to the shop?

 

[Young Un]

Though on my calculator it has an Ans button so I just type the number and then divide by Ans.

Thats what I do, although my calculator doesn't have the 1/x button.

 

[Andy Pandy]

If you've got 5.987 on the display and want to divide 346 by 5.987 how would you do it?

Witht the 1/x button all you need to do is divide 5.987 which is already on the display by 346 and then press the 1/x button. Without that button it isn't so conveniently done.

Ahhhh. I get it now. Cheers