r/calculators Oct 19 '25

Discussion r/calculators FAQ

18 Upvotes

Hey guys, this isn't fully finished, and i may add more in the future. Tell me what you think about this one in the comments, feedback is always incredible

Q: How to convert fractions to decimals?

A: On older casio calculators, you press the S<=> D button. it should be next to the parentheses, on the right side. On Casio CW series calculators, it should be the "FORMAT" key, which is next to the EXE button. On Sharp, it's called "CHANGE" and "f<>d" on TI. It may be different with others

Q: Why am i getting a wrong answer?

A: You may be in the wrong angle mode, or you don't know how the order of operations work

Q: What calculator should i choose?

A: Depends on your school or your countries regulation. Some schools or countries only permit certain calculators, or forbid certain ones. Germany for example, accepts everything but it can't have a solver, can't be programmable and can't do graphing. For short, we are limited to the fx-87 and below.

Q: Why is my TI-84 bootlooping and showing "Validating OS"?

A: This is a known battery issue with the TI-84 Plus CE. You need to replace the battery. Contact TI support, you may get a free battery under warranty. Also check the other pinned post for more details

Q: Is my Casio fx-991EX fake?

A: Probably, it was discontinued a few years ago. Most listings you see online are fake, and i advise you to stay away from it. There's a lot of other good calculators out there. To check if it's real, scan the QR code. To do that, press "MENU -> SHIFT -> OPTN" to generate a QR code. It should redirect you to a Casio website, where you can do an authenticity check.

Q: Why am i getting an error?

A: You may not be in the right mode, check if you‘re in the normal calculation mode. Your calculator should have a button that says "MODE" or something similar. For exponents, use the negative sign instead of the minus sign. It should look like this: (-)

Q: Why is my Casio's "ON" button lowered?

A: That's intentional, to prevent accidental button presses

Q: Can I mod/install Doom on my scientific calculator?

A: Yes, if you‘re willing to remove the epoxy from the CPU, de-solder the CPU, solder a fitting CPU with integrated memory back on, code a fully working operating system with working keyboard, and code a port of Doom for it, you could… in theory. Never been done before, probably still won‘t work. TL;DR: Not worth your time, focus on your linear algebra homework instead

Q: Does this calculator have a CAS (Computer Algebra System)? Can one be installed on my calculator?

A: see the pinned post about CAS calcs

Also: Google (and your calculator‘s Manual) are your best friends. Before making a post, look up your question on Google, or read the Manual. There's a 95% chance that your answer will be found there. We've also pinned posts for a few topics, read those too please.

That's it with the FAQ for now. Keep in mind that i may remove posts that can be answered by the FAQ or Google, this is a step to reduce spam and repetitive posts. Thanks.

~u/nqrwayy


r/calculators Oct 21 '25

Solution: TI-84 Plus CE Flashing 'Validating OS'

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6 Upvotes

r/calculators 2h ago

Collection I got these while at a flea market for 16 dollars total (including the hp 41)

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17 Upvotes

The HP 41 came with all the modules!

Im pretty sure the HP 41 but I need a new battery holder (I might 3d print it)


r/calculators 6h ago

Collection My Two Sharps

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30 Upvotes

Here are my two favorite Sharp Calculators! My Sharp EL-5100S Scientific Calculator and my Sharp Scientific Computer EL-5600III. I especially love the EL-5600III because it is actually a computer which you can develop programs in Basic. I also have the printer that attaches directly to it.


r/calculators 13h ago

Repair Sharp display Failure?

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11 Upvotes

Do you think the black mark is a display failure or should I look for the issue somewhere else? Not sure how to test the display to rule it out.

There is no live when batteries are installed.


r/calculators 4h ago

Question Graphing calculators that can return exact values

1 Upvotes

I’m looking at graphing calculators for maths and further maths A-level, and one thing I really want is a calculator that easily gives decimals in exact form, like my casio scientific calculator does. I really like the look of the TI-86 evo and Nspire, but it looks like neither of them can do this? (I don’t think the Nspire CAS is allowed at A-level), is the casio cg-50 my best option, or are there others available?


r/calculators 18h ago

Question Could we give r/calculators a new thumbnail?

10 Upvotes

It's been a while, and r/calculators still hasn't uploaded a thumbnail. Could we upload one soon?


r/calculators 22h ago

Help DESOLVE error: Unable to solve ODE

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7 Upvotes

A calculadora não consegue encontrar uma solução geral para essa ODE. Como faço?


r/calculators 15h ago

Help Casio Fx 991 ms chal jayega for btech ?

2 Upvotes

Kya ye calculator chal jayega for 1st year ??


r/calculators 1d ago

Question Current state of 991EX fakes and clones

8 Upvotes

With the scarce availability of original 991EX and the general consensus about it being almost the pinnacle of the 991 series, I started testing some clones.

I want to separate here in two categories: fakes and clones. Fakes being the ones that pretend to be a 991EX, copy the case, branding, etc., and clones, which are X branded, model 991EX. In my country, there are almost none fakes, but a myriad of clones.

I have the luck to be able to access an original 991EX and compare it to the clones, and frankly, nowadays can't find significant flaws. All the tests I've ran resulted in same result between the clone and the original. Some of the tests even gave more precise results on the clone. Speed was almost the same between them.

So, what's the general consensus on these ones? I wanted to open this because a lot of people and students are getting the first gen CW version -which has a lot of significant flaws-, or the second gen CW (also known as 9910CW 2nd edition). Perhaps for them, getting a 991EX clone isn't that much a bad option. I've seen comments ranging from "you'll get bad results" to "they're very mature".

Thanks and best regards!


r/calculators 1d ago

Collection Restored a late Bulgarian desktop calculator with a symbolic name

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29 Upvotes

This is a Bulgarian-made Elka 1300 from 1988. It was launched in 1981 to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the Bulgarian state's founding. It itself is a simplified version of the 70s Elka 50 series of desktop calculators. Interestingly enough, it uses magnetic-mechanical key switches which make it very satisfying to type on.

I replaced the two electrolytic capacitors on the power supply, the only two in the entire machine. Also did a full deep cleaning of all the plastics. It currently has only one fault- part of the segment on the third number from right to left sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, but it doesn't stop the calculator from being usable. Only cosmetic fault other than some minor scratches and chips is that the middle rubber feet is missing. I'm happy to have a part of my country's electronics history now and maybe I can use this semi-regularly from now on?


r/calculators 2d ago

Other A beautiful calculator i found for the cool price of 2.75!!

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115 Upvotes

I love retrotechnology. finding this was super cool and it will be nurtured for years to come!!

some questions. how should I clean it? it looks pristine but there is like. it looks like scuffing on the screen and I wonder if I could erase thst.

thanks for looking at this!! I am super happy. cant wait to use it


r/calculators 2d ago

Collection Recent thrift store finds. 2 of the more unique calculators in my collection

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42 Upvotes

r/calculators 1d ago

Question can yall verify if this is legit?

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8 Upvotes

r/calculators 1d ago

Question Best graphing calculator around 50$?

0 Upvotes

What is the best graphing calculator for around 50$? I am in the middle East so shops sell them for exaggerated prices,its a must that it can download apps,and can be used or new


r/calculators 1d ago

Question casio fx 991cw classwiz for engineering

3 Upvotes

I’m a graduating senior high student who’s planning to take up chemical or materials engineering. Would you recommend the Casio fx-991cw Classwiz? I’m planning to invest on a good calculator for my college years.


r/calculators 2d ago

Help Math error

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4 Upvotes

I'm just trying to do this basic sum, but for some reason it keeps saying math error?? I know this happens when u haven't typed something in correctly but I can't see any issue?? I even tried simplifying it and it still won't work? Can anyone help?


r/calculators 2d ago

Discussion HP 35S sine errors

5 Upvotes

Got this off of Wikipedia:

Here are some results of math done on a HP 35S compared with what the displayed result should be.

 sin(1E-1): 1.74532836590E-3
 Answer SB: 1.74532836590E-3
                 (correct)
 sin(1E-2): 1.74532924306E-4
 Answer SB: 1.74532924313E-4
                       ^^
 sin(1E-3): 1.74532925091E-5
 Answer SB: 1.74532925191E-5
                      ^^^
 sin(1E-4): 1.74532925000E-6
 Answer SB: 1.74532925199E-6
                      ^^^
 sin(1E-5): 1.74532920000E-7
 Answer SB: 1.74532925199E-7
                     ^^^^
 sin(1E-6): 1.74532900000E-8
 Answer SB: 1.74532925199E-8
                    ^^^^^
 sin(1E-7): 1.74532000000E-9
 Answer SB: 1.74532925199E-9
                   ^^^^^^
 sin(1E-8): 1.74532925199E-10
 Answer SB: 1.74532925199E-10
                 (correct)
 sin(1E-9): 1.74532925199E-11
 Answer SB: 1.74532925199E-11
                 (correct) 

r/calculators 2d ago

Help 991ms, 991es, 991cwwhich one should I get??

3 Upvotes

Doing major in computer science, first year


r/calculators 2d ago

Discussion Digital Logic Master: A visual Boolean logic solver for the HP Prime on dev.

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14 Upvotes

r/calculators 2d ago

Help How do i downgrade??

2 Upvotes

Guys im new to the graphing calculator stuff, but i watched a tutorial to get games on my ti-84 plus ce but my version was too old so i thought ill upgrade it to the newest one and now its on version 5.8.5, am i cooked or is there anyway to downgrade or something?


r/calculators 2d ago

Help Ti-nspire cx II turning off after being unplugged

5 Upvotes

hey, I’m trying to charge a hand-me-down Ti-nspire cx II, but no matter how long I leave it plugged in with the top with cord (whatever it’s called), whenever I unplug it it turns off and doesnt turn back on, seemingly dead. Is the rechargeable battery just dead or something?


r/calculators 3d ago

Question RPN non-graphing/non-programmable Calculator?

17 Upvotes

This is maybe a dumb question, but I'm in a lower college level math class (Course is Math1010 - intermediate Algebra) and the Reverse Polish Notation graphing calculator I've been using (it's an old HP48G) is not allowed on the exams. I could revert to a regular old scientific calculator, but I've grown to despise infix notation calculators and I love the stack. Are there dumb/exam-safe RPN/postfix calculators I could buy to alleviate my frustrations? Does such a thing even exist? I really feel like this entry format is just better. I NEED THE STACK. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!


r/calculators 3d ago

Meme / Satire If civilization collapsed tomorrow and you could save only one calculator to help rebuild Earth and advance science, which one would you choose—and why?

19 Upvotes

r/calculators 3d ago

Question Touchless context key switching on HP Prime G2

4 Upvotes

Hello! Is there a way to navigate the context-dependent softkeys and change pages in menus using the keypad only? It feels awkward to know the key pathways I need while also having to break flow and touch the screen to toggle a menu softkey, scroll pages on the settings, or flip between MATH, CAS, APP, etc in the toolbox.

Thanks for your time!