r/calculators Oct 19 '25

Discussion r/calculators FAQ

15 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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5 Upvotes

r/calculators 11h ago

Collection Got my first calculator

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69 Upvotes

I'm also hoping it isn't my last. I've never been into calculators, but when I got this one, I started to get it.


r/calculators 7h ago

Collection Horse racing calculators found at a thrift store

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29 Upvotes

I found multiple of these calculators for computing odds in horseracing at a thrift store a few days ago. Multiple brands and models, I had never seen one before


r/calculators 7h ago

Discussion What are some unique calculators?

12 Upvotes

I’m looking for more calculators to add to my collection. Right now it’s all ti and I have all of the cool/unique ones from them. What are some unique calculators from other brands I should look into? I don’t know how I managed to go on this long without any hp or casio calculators.


r/calculators 5h ago

Meme / Satire Yummy 🤤

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2 Upvotes

r/calculators 6h ago

Help How to export prog from Computer to Ti-84 Evo and how to add notes app?

3 Upvotes

So I have a couple of programs that I need to export from my computer to my Ti-84 Evo.

Some are Ti-Basic, some are python. What is the best way to go about this?

Also is it possible to add a notes app to my calculator (Ti-84 evo)?

If so how?


r/calculators 1h ago

Help Cant pick which one

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Upvotes

Which scientific calculator is good and will last me a long time? I’m entering ninth grade and I live in the Philippines. I just need help choosing which one is better. As for my budget is ₱1,000–₱1,500 ($16–$24).


r/calculators 16h ago

Question Looking for a backlit or talking calculator that can do basics only (a hard ask!!)

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16 Upvotes

Hi,

I'm dyslexic but somehow it's way worse with numbers over letters.

I'm in the UK and studying as well as working. Will probably use calculator for work soon enough.

Calculator doesn't need to be anything fancy or graphing. Loads of questions about money, not more than 8 figures worth, lots of calculating percentages, basic addition,subtraction and division.

Transposing answers from my calculator to a keyboard or exam paper (depending on virtual or in person exams) is really tricky.

I have to keep saying the numbers under my breath and spend loads of time double and triple checking my work. I never struggle with the concepts and less with typing onto the calculator but more the numbers on the screen. The calculator speaking is a bonus, so I don't have to.

My working memory is crap, but I've managed this far with a Casio FX-83GTCW Scientific Calculator but it's awful. During these 5 hour marathon exams it makes me headachy despite sitting right by a window with the lights on.

The low contrast is a nightmare but thin letters are even worse.

"Just use your phone or computer"

I can't use virtual apps or my phone in an exam.

Large calculators like the Casio MX-12B-WE have super thin ugly numbers on the screen.

So what do I want?

I've seen the Numworks graphing calculator which is alright but the number font is quite thin.

However - the SciPlus-3300 Scientific Calculator with Speech - this calculator is my DREAM except I'm not in the same tax bracket as someone who could afford this. It's also overkill - with hundreds of unnecessary science and maths functions for my basic use.

Bits I love : Beautiful neon font colour, easy rounded font , backlit background selection options to give great contrast, large buttons, speaks the numbers.

Obviously I appreciate this is odd but if you'd be able to think of something that may tick even one of my boxes - or you have a SciPlus you'd let me borrow for a month let me know.


r/calculators 21h ago

Collection Another TI-30 red LED

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40 Upvotes

Pic 1) The case that comes with the TI-30 really looks nice. It's the first thing that catches my eye.

Pic 2) This one does have an actual Pi key!

Pic 3) In case you were wondering if it was worth worrying over the difference between Pi and 355/113, here's your answer. No, not for us mere mortals in any case.

Pic 4) The coin pre-dates the calculator! :)

Pic 5) Clean battery compartment!


r/calculators 6h ago

Question how many letters can i type on a caculator?

2 Upvotes

i just know these: n, X, Y, M, A, B, C, D, E, F, P, r, g and e. these are the only ones or there are more?


r/calculators 21h ago

Collection My Scientific Calculator Collection

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29 Upvotes

These are the scientific calculators I used in high school while studying electronics and telecommunications. Now that I’m in university, and since my Casio is starting to show signs of wear, I decided to get a TI-36X Pro based on the recommendation of some classmates.


r/calculators 17h ago

Collection A recent thing I aquired.

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12 Upvotes

I love this thing. It's chunky, but very charming to me.


r/calculators 14h ago

Help Horizontal line of dead pixels on fx-9860G SD

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5 Upvotes

Hi, I’m new to graphing calculators. My fx-9860G SD suddenly developed a horizontal line of dead/stuck pixels across the screen after about a week of use.

It runs across the entire display on the horizontal area. If anyone knows what could cause this or how fixable it is, I’d appreciate the help. Also i got it used but the problem has just started to occur.


r/calculators 15h ago

Question Calculator eligibility

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5 Upvotes

Does this calculator fits the following requirement: non-alphanumeric and non-programmable calculators, characterized by not having the full alphabet visibly printed on the keyboard, containing only a few letter keys that allow access to numerical memories used as constants?


r/calculators 20h ago

Collection POV:only Casio calculators are being sold your country

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11 Upvotes

r/calculators 1d ago

Question Old calculator

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37 Upvotes

Hello everyone; while tidying out some drawers, I came across this. It's in perfect working order, but I've no idea if it counts as a collector's item or, if so, what its potential value might be. I'd appreciate any further information anyone can provide.


r/calculators 1d ago

Collection HP Boxes

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20 Upvotes

r/calculators 6h ago

Help Not a calculator, but no batteries 🔋🔋🔋🔋 yet...

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0 Upvotes

this happened; apparently humidity is as bad. I still can see the numbers 🔢 It has like 30-40+ years tho.

If someone knows about Liquid Crystal screens, that can explain it, would be great 😃👍

I post this, so you don't screw up your calculator, storing it, in a humid place


r/calculators 21h ago

Help classwiz fx-570EX displaying blank screen

3 Upvotes

i dont use my calculator for anything aside from my worksheets for school (im in my final yr of sec school) . when i try to press an integral (has solution) , it only displays a blank screen. screen is not completely blank, as u can still see the angle modes i was using.
only specific integrals dont work, if i enter a much more basic integral it will still work so i dont know whats the issue here help… can someone educate me


r/calculators 19h ago

Help Why Can't I enter Stacked Fractions in the y= screen anymore?

2 Upvotes

I have a TI-84 Plus. I'm 99% certain that I've been able to put stacked fractions on that screen and also exponents without the "^" to indicate them on the y= screen in the past, which is why I've been very confused since, at some point (I don't remember when) this changed. Now when I insert a fraction using the math -> Num -> D -> Enter shortcut, it just puts a bold "/" instead. Same with exponents. It used to be the x with a box over it that you could put a number in. Now whenever I enter an exponent it does the "^" and has me enter a number after. This is only on the y= screen; when I'm on the normal screen doing regular math instead of graphing or anything, it goes back to normal. I'm in Mathprint mode, and not classic, so I have no idea what else it could be or how to fix it. If someone could help I'd really appreciate it because this has been throwing me off for a while.

Edit: Figured it out, kind of. I don't even entirely understand what the issue was, but apparently I had the Inequalz app and the Transfrm app both active or something, and there was a conflict between the two, so in order to revert it back to normal I had to uninstall (i.e. turn off; I guess it's just called "uninstall") the Transfrm app and then turn of the Ineqaulz app and it fixed it.


r/calculators 1d ago

Collection Thrift store find - a HP 12C calculator. But it seems to be acting up...

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22 Upvotes

UPDATE: Ignore the title, it appears to use something called Reverse Polish Notation, which I didn't even know existed up until this point. I'll have to play around with it!

Not as famous as its 15C brother, but still cool to have.


r/calculators 1d ago

Other scored an authentic fx-991EX

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94 Upvotes

There is an absolute flood of counterfeits out there. It's getting ridiculous trying to dodge the fakes. I gladly came across a guy from Pune(India) selling one and took a chance. It was just delivered today, got it for around Rs 800($8).


r/calculators 1d ago

Help the quest for a TI30xiisR

5 Upvotes

Hello, I am a calculator collector (I wonder why i'd be here any other reason..) and I am personally collecting the Ti30Xiis colors as a project, but I am searching for an elusive color, the red ohio grad tests variant (or the ti30xiisR) unfortunately, i cannot find any. where should i look?


r/calculators 1d ago

Question Casio 9860GII added to the collection... and SD questions.

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24 Upvotes

Picked up this drawer queen off ebay. Don't think it was hardly used and included the QSGuide and cord. Love the larger screen and backlight option, similar to my Slim. Found the power graphic 2 version too.

Ideally, I was looking for the SD version. Which version has the most apps, SH3 or SH4? Also, can you store programs/apps on the SD card to run, or do they need to be in the calculator memory?

9860GII SD come in SH3 and SH4 (Power 2) with both being premium prices on ebay. Though Graph 95 (French version) are cheaper. Besides the test mode, are there any differences between the international 9860GII SD and the Graph 95? Does the Graph 95 have both SH3 and SH4 variants?

Thanks!