Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

edu.casio.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

91–100 of 128 posts

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#91

Post by sporkologist »

parsimo2010 wrote: post #9

Relative to other graphing calculators, I've always felt that Casio's offerings were a good value relative to TI- ever since TI captured the education market they stopped being cool and definitely stopped being a good value. I think that having Python is a neat feature. I have strong opinions about calculators in general, and have owned a wide range of Casio, HP, TI, and even some old/niche ones that only real calcul…

Calculators are faster, they have real buttons. Much more reliable than hoping you hit the right area on the glass screen with your not-so-precise finger.

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#92

Post by colejohnson66 »

nsajko wrote: post #90
colejohnson66 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The biggest thing is ACT/SAT approval. If that’s what you need, check out NumWorks[0]. It works on both and is completely open source (down to the schematics). [0]: https://www.numworks.com/

It's source-available, not open-source. And the schematics sources are not available; but I don't think it would be very difficult to reinvent them, considering the number of parts is small. On a lighter note, they make it very easy to hack on the calculator, it's written in C++ and in a Git repo at Github.

The schematics are right here? https://www.numworks.com/resources/engineering/hardware/elec...

Granted, it’s not the entire device, but it’s more than most products will give you (none). You are correct about it actually being source-available. My mistake there.

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#93

Post by f311a »

asciimov wrote: post #74
parsimo2010 wrote: post #9

Relative to other graphing calculators, I've always felt that Casio's offerings were a good value relative to TI- ever since TI captured the education market they stopped being cool and definitely stopped being a good value. I think that having Python is a neat feature. I have strong opinions about calculators in general, and have owned a wide range of Casio, HP, TI, and even some old/niche ones that only real calcul…

Graphing calculators solve a couple of problems: they are fairly standardized, equally capable, have a known cost, run a long while on AA batteries and probably most import they don't get on the internet. Phones, while more than computationally capable, aren't equally capable, have a battery life measured in hours, have access to the internet, and require software of an unknown cost and quality.

When I studied at a university, only calculators were allowed to perform some exams. Most of them can't run other software, and it's hard to cheat by using them.

When using a phone, you can install a lot of things.

Math olympiads only allow specific models of calculators for the same reason.

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#94

Post by ChuckMcM »

Well my Numworks[1] calculator comes with Micropython, is open source, and has a color display for $100 which is less than what Casio is asking for this one.

I actually have two of these, one that is "stock" and one where I added access to the internal jtag port so that I could run my own code on it.

[1] https://www.numworks.com/

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#95

Post by analognoise »

I wish I knew enough to create the kinda of symbolic solvers available on TI calculators. They're so great but none of it is open in the slightest.

Open symbolic solvers are great and very powerful, but they're almost too powerful. Just a clone of whatever capabilities a TI-89 has on a microcontroller would make me very exceedingly happy.

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#96

Post by StartupTree »

jhallenworld wrote: post #76

I'm liking the Casio FX-115ES PLUS rev 2 ($14.50), because it simplifies rationals and has LCM, GCD and factorization. For example, when you enter sin(60), it gives sqrt(3)/2, enter 1/(1+sqrt(3)) gives (sqrt(3)-1)/2 or enter sqrt(120) gives 2*sqrt(30). https://www.amazon.com/Casio-fx-115ESPLS2-Advanced-Scientifi... This is helpful for my kid's math class. You wouldn't buy a textbook from Texas would you? So why buy a…

Made in China, not Tokyo.

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#97

Post by mastazi »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #94

Well my Numworks[1] calculator comes with Micropython, is open source, and has a color display for $100 which is less than what Casio is asking for this one. I actually have two of these, one that is "stock" and one where I added access to the internal jtag port so that I could run my own code on it. [1] https://www.numworks.com/

That looks really cool but unfortunately they seem to ship only to Europe and US. Does anyone know of an Australian re-seller?

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#98

Post by MayeulC »

BlueTemplar wrote: post #44
MayeulC wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, at least in France, those expensive graphing calculators are mandatory in high school and later if you choose to study sciences. Some of it is to avoid "cheating" (not using a computer during exams, a new "exam mode" was also recently mandated, with a flashing LED). But I am not sure why calculators are still that expensive today: https://xkcd.com/768/ That, while you can buy a linux-compatible processor for a…

You can still cheat with the programming ones by making cheat sheet programs.

Yeah, that's what the "exam mode" is about: to lock down access to the calculator memory, and advanced funtionality like CAS. From what I read, it:

- Disables memory access or erases it

- Disables data transmission

- Lights an indicator

- Can't be disable without physically connecting another calculator or computer. I think some even beep.

Well, of course back then I did an extensive job of using the built-in memory for my "cheat sheets", even building programs with submenus for quick access, and some automated functionality. I don't feel like it really hindered me later. At least, it taught me more about programming :)

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#99

Post by vonnieda »

Buttons840 wrote: post #89
asciimov wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Graphing calculators solve a couple of problems: they are fairly standardized, equally capable, have a known cost, run a long while on AA batteries and probably most import they don't get on the internet. Phones, while more than computationally capable, aren't equally capable, have a battery life measured in hours, have access to the internet, and require software of an unknown cost and quality.

I also haven't found phone software that is as good as a TI-89 or HP Prime other than emulators of those calculators.

I agree completely. I am completely willing to spend real money on an iOS app that is as intuitive and powerful as a TI-89 but it just doesn’t seem to exist.

Re: Casio Graphing Scientific Calculator Fx-9860GIII Comes with MicroPython

#100

Post by merqurio »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #94

Well my Numworks[1] calculator comes with Micropython, is open source, and has a color display for $100 which is less than what Casio is asking for this one. I actually have two of these, one that is "stock" and one where I added access to the internal jtag port so that I could run my own code on it. [1] https://www.numworks.com/

I have one and I encourage anyone looking for a modern calculator to buy one. One of the best purchases I have ever made. Happy to answer any questions.
Post reply on HN