I bought a new calculator...

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Well not new .... its probably older then me produced between 1980 and 1990. Me being born in the last half of the production period for the HP-41C. I got a HP-35S which is a current model but figured a HP-41C would be good to have due to its expandability.

As you can see it may be older then me but appears to look new and it still works. What more can I ask for? Cool

And to "match" it up with something older I ordered this at the same time too ....

Dimitri

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: I bought a new calculator...

When I first went to college they were teaching us slide rule and showed us the new electronic calculators that would add, subtract, multiply and divide...

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

I ordered one of thouse too ...

Dimitri

slimjim · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: I bought a new calculator...

I volunteer to teach math classes to show kids how they use math in all they do. I include a quick lesson on the slide rule. Calculators have taken away the ability for most people how to do math in their heads. I then try to show them ways to do math in your head that isn't taught anymore. I give dollars to the kid that answer my questions first. Then ask why I gave the dollars away. "Companies don't pay you to giet the wrong answer."

PaulS · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:10 am Post subject: Re: I bought a new calculator...

Working with logs and a vernier scale is fairly accurate but not like a good calculator. I was in high school when the first calculators were sold and I learned to use the slide rule before I ever had a calculator.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

I got the slide rule and have been using it for fun. However the HP-41CV has been keeping me busy so far.

Dimitri

Vince · Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 1:52 am Post subject: Re: I bought a new calculator...

I still got my first ever calculator...and it still works a treat. Laughing

I still have my slide rule...not sure where it is right now...but I still got it. I think I have an Abacus here somewhere too.

Kids these days get it far too easy...they don't get taught their "times" tables and they are allowed to use their calculators (which they must have). Also, they are given books containing Maths and Science Exercises...and the answers are in the back of the book for goodness sake.

The next generation will only know how to push a button on either a computer or a similar, but not know how to arrive at an answer.

Electronics are ok, so long as the kids also learn how to do the work without relying on the calculator. I'm teaching my grandsons.

Cheers, Vince

Bushmaster · Last edited by Bushmaster on Sun Feb 21, 2010 9:11 am; edited 1 time in total

I hate when this happens... Very Happy

Bushmaster · Last edited by Bushmaster on Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:37 am; edited 2 times in total

Whew...No leg shots of Vince for a change...

This is my "full tank of gas and $5.00" calculator that I got in 1972. Solar powered.

It is used at my loading bench for those complicated calculations that must be done whern working up a new load...

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Vince wrote:

Also, they are given books containing Maths and Science Exercises...and the answers are in the back of the book for goodness sake.

Generally odd not even questions have answers. However I agree with having the answers in the back as it lets you know if your going wrong every 2nd question. Plus, I've had no marked practice problems since grade 11 in math. Your expected to "self study" as much or as little as you want.

Dimitri

Vince · Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: I bought a new calculator...

Nuffin' wrong wiv my legs Bushy....they reach the ground mate. Laughing

'Mitri wrote:

Generally odd not even questions have answers. However I agree with having the answers in the back as it lets you know if your going wrong every 2nd question. Plus, I've had no marked practice problems since grade 11 in math. Your expected to "self study" as much or as little as you want.

I can see the sense in that mate...but once the kids know the answers are there, then they get lazy and when they can't see an answer straight away when they look at the problem, three guesses where they go mate...yep, straight to the back of the book and copy the answer. By doing this mate they miss the most important part of problem solving...the bit in the middle where you have to actually work it out.

Cheers, Vince

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Vince wrote:

By doing this mate they miss the most important part of problem solving...the bit in the middle where you have to actually work it out.

Till of course they fail the test. Very Happy

Dimitri

slimjim · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject: Re: I bought a new calculator...

Vince wrote:

I still got my first ever calculator...

Vince, if you took your shoes off you would have double the capability to solve a problem. Or have you gotten to the age where your toes are beyond reach?

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: I bought a new calculator...

If not "beyond reach". They are "out of sight"....... ROFL

1895ss · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: I bought a new calculator...

Bushmaster wrote:

If not "beyond reach". They are "out of sight"....... ROFL

but I was thinking the same thing ............................. Haha