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Ask HN: Should there be new RPN calculators to replace the TI-84?

28 points idatum | 2 comments | 09 Mar 25 05:02 UTC | HN request time: 0.426s | source

I took an exam today where only TI calculators were available. I felt I was caught between some older models where the TI interface was not quite worked out.

And I don't see much progress then trying my daughter's TI-84.

1. tgv ◴[12 Mar 25 14:46 UTC] No.43343844[source]▶
RPN is not a good fit for the classroom. It doesn't connect to the way math and arithmetic are taught, since ages. RPN comes from the days when parsing an expression in a calculator was hard. I've got a two RPN calculators at home, and I think it's cute, but it's a nerd thing.

If you want a non-TI calculator that's allowed in the classroom: look at the Casio and Numworks.

replies(1): >>43343913 #
2. upghost ◴[12 Mar 25 14:53 UTC] No.43343913[source]▶
I use numworks frequently these days (as a software eng just need to do some quick math and not worth writing code or spreadsheet for, not talking about student use). I bought the thing but they have a free phone app too, works exactly the same.

I can't ever remember how to use my TI-89 but the numworks is pretty intuitive