Calculator with visible history and variables?

Discussion in 'Mac Apps and Mac App Store' started by evilspoons, Nov 9, 2008.

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  1. evilspoons, Nov 9, 2008

    evilspoons macrumors member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2007
    #1
    Hi everyone. I'm looking for a decent calculator app for Mac OS X. What I'd like is an environment similar to that on a TI-83/TI-89 graphing calculator (without it being a direct emulator; I could do without the tiny little screen - that's why I've got a 15" laptop in the first place!).

    I'm happy with Calculator.app except for two things: there's no visible history of commands, and there's only one bloody memory for storing variables!

    I'd like to be able to just type:
    "a=5+3"
    "b=a*3+2"

    etc. It doesn't have to have commands any more complex than Calculator.app, I'd just like to see a big window with a history of commands and results and some "designed for a big powerful computer" type of functionality rather than emulating a $3 digital calculator.

    MATLAB and Maple come to mind (I used them in University) as applications that behave in a similar manner to what I'd like, but they're massive overkill for what I'd like them for.
     
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  2. SnowLeopard2008, Nov 9, 2008

    SnowLeopard2008 macrumors 604

    SnowLeopard2008

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2008
    Location:
    Silicon Valley
    #2
    maybe quick graph/power graph/graphic calculator on the iPhone/iPod? other that, I'd suggest using Graph in the Utilities folder. Or an emulator.
     
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  3. TomM, Nov 11, 2008

    TomM macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2007
    #3
    Using a calculator you already have

    You can do the same thing using python in the Terminal.

    Run Terminal.
    Then type "python" and press [return]
    This will put you in the Python interpreter.

    If you want to use trig and other math functions
    type "from math import *". This isn't necessary
    for four +_ / * operations.

    Then type "a = 5 + 3" and press [return]
    "b = a*3 + 2"

    To print the answers type
    "print a" and "print b"

    You can do this for any number of expressions and, if necessary,
    scroll the Terminal window to see the history of your calculations.

    To get an answer without using variables type the math expression
    and press return, i.e. "8 * 3 + 2" would cause Terminal to
    go the the next line and print 26.

    Use the [control] [z] keys to exit Python.

    So, you already have the built in calculator with Python
    which comes with the Mac.
     
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  4. evilspoons, Nov 11, 2008

    evilspoons thread starter macrumors member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2007
    #4
    Good call on using Python; I'll have to remember that in the future.

    I also found this guy on Lifehacker today, it's pretty cool and does most of what I described, although not in exactly the same manner. I think it will work well:

    http://magicnumbermachine.googlepages.com/
     
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