For many students we often recommend using software such as Splash Maths or ArithmeType etc for specialist accessible maths programs. However for some students they simply need access to a scientific calculator. For this there are solutions such as https://www.desmos.com which provide a full range of accessible online maths software. However they still take up screen-space and are not always fully keyboard accessible.

This version from Ace Centre, inspired by collaboration with students we work with and Candle (http://candleaac.com) is smaller and can be operated entirely with shortcuts.  It can also run offline. An online version is available in the Grid 3 within their grids online (https://grids.thinksmartbox.com/en/will-wade/4ff14885-e136-4dfe-a687-a5a0277e5873) – but for an offline version use our installer here:      ScientificCalculator-Setup.exe      

To use, install the software, then install the gridset which you will find on your desktop. There will be a shortcut to the webpage which is then installed on your PC if you want to use that with anything else.

More info:

asic Math

2 + 2 = 4

1/2 × 20 = 10

√16 = 4

π × 2 = 6.283185307

Scientific Functions

sin(45) = 0.7071067812

log(100) = 2

√(π) = 1.7724538509

Random Numbers

rand() = 0.7324846372         # Random number between 0-1

floor(rand() * 6) + 1 = 4    # Roll a die (1-6)

floor(rand() * 100) + 1 = 42 # Random number 1-100

Algebraic Expressions

x^2 + 2x + 1                 # Quadratic expression

2x + 2y                      # Linear expression with variables

Memory Operations

• Store current result: Ctrl/⌘ + P (M+)
• Subtract from memory: Ctrl/⌘ + M (M-)
• Recall memory: Ctrl/⌘ + R (MR)

Line References with @

Maybe slightly easier that using M+,M- etc you can reference previous results using the @ symbol followed by the line number. Each line in the history is numbered for easy reference.

1. 10 + 5 = 15
2. 20 + 12.5 = 32.5
3. @2−@1 → (32.5)−(15) = 17.5

Examples

• @1 references the result from line 1
• 1000 – @3 subtracts line 3’s result from 1000
• @2 * @1 multiplies results from lines 2 and 1
• floor(@1 * 6) uses line 1’s result in a function

The calculator will show both your expression with @ references and the expanded calculation with actual values.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Enter or = – Evaluate expression
• Escape – Clear workpad
• ↑ – Previous expression
• ↓ – Next expression
• Alt/⌘ + D – Toggle Degrees/Radians
• Ctrl + (0-9) – Set decimal places

Tips

• Brackets are automatically completed as you type
• History is scrollable and expressions can be recalled
• Click the DP button or use Ctrl + number to set decimal places
• Toggle between degrees/radians for trigonometry
• Unicode symbols can be typed directly or using text equivalents