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I completely aced the national math exam to enter university. Bringing a vintage HP-15C was one of the key reasons. They forbade alphanumeric and graphing calculators to avoid students storing text or plotting functions.

But they didn't know that non-alphanumeric / graphing calculators can still implement sophisticated numerical methods. And in case the calculator doesn't have whatever you need, it can always be programmed.

I used these algorithms to verify huge linear algebra and calculus problem solutions. Plus, learning RPN makes calculating a pleasure and can motivate the student to understand other CS concepts. The 15C or the 42S are great choices.



Can you (or anyone) comment further on these sophisticated numerical methods? I'm curious to hear an example, and how RPN factors in.


Well, you need to see this from a high school point of view! That is, they are not sophisticated at all given how limited that 80's-era hardware is.

Just simple iterative methods to solve linear systems or to calculate integrals and derivatives.

But obviously, compared to what you can do by pen and paper, you can brute force your way through any problem.




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