THE = SIGN IN iPHONE CALCULATOR

Question

Level 1

8 points

THE = SIGN IN iPHONE CALCULATOR

When I completed an arithmetic, I press the = sign on my iPhone Calculator. To make sure that I have completed my work, I press the = sign again. The iPhone Calculator continues to process and gives erroneous results. WHY the = sign not the final key in an arithmetic process ?

Is there a way to make the = sign as a FINAL KEY ?

Acer Aspire 9300, Windows Vista

Posted on Feb 4, 2009 1:11 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 4, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Judex

In the iPhone's calculator, as in many calculators, pressing the = key additional times re-applies the last calculation. So, entering 3 x 3 = yields 9, but pressing = again multiplies that answer by 3 to give 27, and another press of = gives 27 x 3 = 81, etc.

If you tap = one time, it is the final answer. You can watch the 'key' as you tap it - it changes shading to indicate a successful press. Do not press it again.

You can submit feedback to Apple: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html.

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Answer 2

Feb 5, 2009 7:56 AM in response to paulcb

I have "TouchCalc" on my iPhone. I tried it just now. Extra = signs do not change the answer. See the app store to get it ... it's free

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Answer 3

Judex Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 4, 2009 1:32 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Thank you for your post Neuroanatomist.

I have a CASIO Calculator that has this feature, that is, even pressing 20 times the = sign, the final result does not change into an erronous answer !

Not all calculators have the = sign changes colour after the first tap on.

Thanks,
Judex.

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Answer 4

Feb 4, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Judex

Just to be clear, it's NOT an erroneous answer. It's a correct answer following the re-application of the last calculation entered. Your Casio calculator does not function that way. Ok. My Casio calculator does not function that way, either. Note that I stated many calculators function like that. Many ≠ all. Try this - open the Calculator app on your Windows computer (probably Start menu > All Programs > Accessories), then click 3 * 3, then click = and you'll see 9. Click = again, you'll see 27, again and you'll see 81, etc., just like on the iPhone's calculator.

It's not an error, it's a functionality that's +included by design+ on some calculators. If it truly bothers you, I'd suggest that you not use the iPhone's calculator, but use your Casio calculator instead.

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Answer 5

deggie

Level 10

167,537 points

Feb 4, 2009 1:49 PM in response to Judex

Most of them do, I just checked the 3 I have easily available to me in my house and they all function like the ones on the iPhone. Perhaps you should send in feedback to Apple and ask for an option for this function.

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Answer 6

Judex Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 4, 2009 11:05 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Hi,

Thanks again for your post.

I understand perfectly well ! I know many Calculators are like that. Is it not logical that the = sign must be final ?

I always press the = sign again to make sure of my final answer. My CASIO DJ-120 is ok because it does not continue to process after pressing again the = sign. To my logic, this is a plus because the = sign must be the final.

Due to the design of the Calculator, the answer is not erroneous, but to the User, the answer will not be correct.

My way of pressing again the = sign to make sure of my final answer is the issue ! I now use my CASIO DJ-120 instead.

Best regards,
Judex.

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Answer 7

Judex Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 4, 2009 11:28 PM in response to deggie

Hi Deggie,

Thanks for your post.

If you have the possibility to hunt for Calculators in the shops, I am sure you will find some with the = sign as final, that is, when you press = sign again, it will not change your final answer. Refer to CASIO DJ-120 as an example.

I always press the = sign again to make sure of my final answer because I work a lot with figures. To me this is simply a precausion with figures !

I already suggested to Apple to consider my suggestion of getting the = sign as final. I also do programming and I know that this is not impossible to do in the iPhone programme, must add a simple module therein.

If we think logically, the = sign must be final. If we need to repeat working with a figure we can use the "Constant" key.

Kind regards,
Judex.

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Answer 8

Feb 5, 2009 5:23 AM in response to Judex

The calculator in Mac OS X works the same way as the one on the iPhone.

I think this sort of functionality goes back to the days of adding machines and cash registers, where you may have been adding several items in a row of the same value. Pressing one key to repeat the last items was better than having to re-key it in.

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Answer 9

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Feb 5, 2009 6:44 AM in response to Judex

I have used dozens of calculators and they have all had this 'feature', excluding a few HP's with RPN. If you know the =key produces a calculation each time it's pressed, just don't press it again after you get your answer. It's just a matter of keeping up with your calculation. As a practicing mechanical engineer, that's what I've been doing for 22 years.

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Answer 10

Judex Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 5, 2009 7:29 AM in response to paulcb

Thank you Paulcb for your post.

Indeed each one gets use to his Calculator. I have always chosen one with the = sign as final key after a calc. So, it is difficult for me to get use to another one !

Thanks again.,
Judex

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Answer 11

Judex Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 5, 2009 7:40 AM in response to Matthew Smith

Thank you for your post, Matthew Smith.

I know those Calculators. I have always chosen one with the = sign as final after a calc. The reason is that I always press the = sign again just to make sure of my final calc. So, I find it difficult to get use to the old type that I used many years ago.

Thanks again for your post.

Kind regards,
Judex.

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Answer 12

Randy Fast

Level 4

1,432 points

Feb 6, 2009 7:45 AM in response to Matthew Smith

The calculator in Windows is the same as well, as are lots of calculators. A better way to check your answers would be to re-type the expression again isntead of just hitting "=" again.

This is user error not any error in the calculator or iPhone.

Edit - Sitting here in my lab, my TI-36x Solar does it, my TI-89 does it, and a little cheap-o calculator that was part of a promotion also does this same thing.

Message was edited by: Randy Fast

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Answer 13

Judex Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 6, 2009 11:07 AM in response to Community User

Dear Gerald,

Thank you very much indeed to facilitate my search for the TouchCalc. Now I have it on my iPhone. It is going to be a great help to me because I work a lot with figures. I am use to the = sign as final in any calculation.

It is always wonderful to meet People like you who love to help others. You are an Angel !

Best Wishes and kind regards,
Judex.

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Answer 14

Judex Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 6, 2009 11:15 AM in response to Randy Fast

Hi Randy,

Thank you very much for your post.

Yes, I know those calculators ! I always choose the one with the = sign as final as my Casio DJ-120.

I sincerely think that the = sign must be final in any calculation, this is sensible.

Gerald courteously communicated to me the TouchCalc. See his post below. In the TouchCalc the = sign is final. So, it is a good one for my purpose because I am use to it. Try it, too.

Again thanks for your post.

Kind regards,
Judex.

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Answer 15

Judex Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 6, 2009 11:09 PM in response to rswatson

Hi rswatson,

Yes, some Calculators don't have the = sign, but they are good as long as each maths sign is final, that is does not continue to process the last input when press again.

Kind regards,
Judex.

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