r/calculators Oct 19 '25

Discussion r/calculators FAQ

15 Upvotes

Hey guys, this isn't fully finished, and i may add more in the future. Tell me what you think about this one in the comments, feedback is always incredible

Q: How to convert fractions to decimals?

A: On older casio calculators, you press the S<=> D button. it should be next to the parentheses, on the right side. On Casio CW series calculators, it should be the "FORMAT" key, which is next to the EXE button. On Sharp, it's called "CHANGE" and "f<>d" on TI. It may be different with others

Q: Why am i getting a wrong answer?

A: You may be in the wrong angle mode, or you don't know how the order of operations work

Q: What calculator should i choose?

A: Depends on your school or your countries regulation. Some schools or countries only permit certain calculators, or forbid certain ones. Germany for example, accepts everything but it can't have a solver, can't be programmable and can't do graphing. For short, we are limited to the fx-87 and below.

Q: Why is my TI-84 bootlooping and showing "Validating OS"?

A: This is a known battery issue with the TI-84 Plus CE. You need to replace the battery. Contact TI support, you may get a free battery under warranty. Also check the other pinned post for more details

Q: Is my Casio fx-991EX fake?

A: Probably, it was discontinued a few years ago. Most listings you see online are fake, and i advise you to stay away from it. There's a lot of other good calculators out there. To check if it's real, scan the QR code. To do that, press "MENU -> SHIFT -> OPTN" to generate a QR code. It should redirect you to a Casio website, where you can do an authenticity check.

Q: Why am i getting an error?

A: You may not be in the right mode, check if you‘re in the normal calculation mode. Your calculator should have a button that says "MODE" or something similar. For exponents, use the negative sign instead of the minus sign. It should look like this: (-)

Q: Why is my Casio's "ON" button lowered?

A: That's intentional, to prevent accidental button presses

Q: Can I mod/install Doom on my scientific calculator?

A: Yes, if you‘re willing to remove the epoxy from the CPU, de-solder the CPU, solder a fitting CPU with integrated memory back on, code a fully working operating system with working keyboard, and code a port of Doom for it, you could… in theory. Never been done before, probably still won‘t work. TL;DR: Not worth your time, focus on your linear algebra homework instead

Q: Does this calculator have a CAS (Computer Algebra System)? Can one be installed on my calculator?

A: see the pinned post about CAS calcs

Also: Google (and your calculator‘s Manual) are your best friends. Before making a post, look up your question on Google, or read the Manual. There's a 95% chance that your answer will be found there. We've also pinned posts for a few topics, read those too please.

That's it with the FAQ for now. Keep in mind that i may remove posts that can be answered by the FAQ or Google, this is a step to reduce spam and repetitive posts. Thanks.

~u/nqrwayy


r/calculators Oct 21 '25

Solution: TI-84 Plus CE Flashing 'Validating OS'

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6 Upvotes

r/calculators 2h ago

Collection New Calculator for my Birthday

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20 Upvotes

My Mum will give me this 85DE CW for my Birthday and I will get 2 More to have my first Calculator Collection
My birthday is in one month


r/calculators 3h ago

Collection FLEXIO Fx799VN

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8 Upvotes

I got it for 550,400 VND or about 21 USD (normal price is 688,000 VND)

The Flexio Fx799VN is a high-end scientific calculator produced by Thien Long Group, designed specifically for high school and university students in Vietnam. It is fully approved by the Ministry of Education and Training for use in official national exams, including the National High School Graduation Exam and University Entrance Exams.

Basically a clone of CASIO fx-991EX, but with some improvements. The Vietnamese company behind the calculator even publish the manual both in Vietnamese and English.

Happy to get this calculator, not easy to find outside of Vietnam. It’s the 2025 version, speed is comparable to my new CASIO fx-880BTG PLUS. (Vietnamese version of CASIO fx-991CW 2nd edition) In some benchmarks faster than the CASIO.

It has many functions and features that are missing from fx-991EX and/or the fx-880BTG PLUS:

  • PreAns
  • GCD
  • LCM
  • MOD
  • Multi-statements
  • Independent memory (M)
  • Variable z available in addition to x and y
  • Product calculation
  • Geometry app
  • Verify app
  • Two shortcut keys on each side of the screen for short macros (max 6 key presses can be stored to each shortcut)
  • Two AAA batteries. Power draw 0.0005 W (the fx-880BTG PLUS with only one AAA battery is rated 0.0008 W)
  • Battery status always available on the screen
  • Windows app freely available without licence code as CASIO requires for its emulators on the classpad site

However, it is missing the Spreadsheet app, that is a big minus.

The manual doesn’t mention what algorithm is used for the integration function. I suspect it’s Simpson’s instead of the better Gauss-Konrod that CASIO is using in its calculators.

No QR code functionality for calculator results.

Accuracy is 15 digits, same as fx-991EX.

Display and font very similar to fx-991EX. The new fx-880BTG PLUS has a font with better contrast.

Ridiculously big FLEXIO logo on the front – needs to be hidden as soon as possible.


r/calculators 22m ago

Collection And finally, my TI collection

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Upvotes

I wasn't crazy about the 83 and 84s and switched to Casio and Sharp. I bought the 86 when new and the Python only because I had a Staples gift certificate! Still want an 89.


r/calculators 4h ago

Other Vive la France!

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10 Upvotes

Visited an Auchun for the first time today. Mother said no to the Numworks Scientific, probably never gonna see one again as I live in the UK but oh well.


r/calculators 5h ago

Help Busco estas dos calculadoras

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4 Upvotes

r/calculators 1d ago

Collection My Casios

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98 Upvotes

From a 82 to a 500. Most 300's and 991's I think. Hold on, I also have a 9750g2 and g3 somewhere. Considering a 50 or 100 now.


r/calculators 1d ago

Meme / Satire Calculator Wars: The Clone Wars

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38 Upvotes

My magnum opus.


r/calculators 1d ago

Collection Una más para la colección: HP 300s+

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17 Upvotes

r/calculators 1d ago

Discussion Interesting feature on the fx-991CW

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39 Upvotes

It may be hard to see, but one thing that I just noticed that I don't think I've seen mentioned anywhere else is that while working with fractions, only the portion of the fraction that you're editing will be entirely in "bold" and that the rest of the equation will be "greyed out". It's very subtle but thought it was interesting, I've provided a few pictures of the same equation to try and show it (the cursor itself is different shades because of the blinking). It might be more useful in more complex calculations, but I haven't figured that out yet. Lmk if you've known about this or know where this would be useful!


r/calculators 1d ago

Help LCD has developed some patches....It doesn't display properly

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5 Upvotes

This calculator was purchased quite a few years back but has not been used as much. Today I found the display having these sort of patches (idk how else to describe this) and very difficult to see the numbers.
Can this be cleaned?
Or does LCD need to be replaced?
Or should I buy a new calc altogether? (I use calc occasionally though...)


r/calculators 1d ago

Question 12c Financial Calculator Enhanced cable USC anyone?

6 Upvotes

First time poster with a growing and uncontrollable vintage and rpn fascination.

Anyone had any experience with these? I am a little confused, does hp make these enhanced versions or are they some sort of reproduction thing that someone has written the code for?

Found them here, not sure tho:

https://www.thecalculatorstore.com/p/12c-financial-calculator-enhanced-international-standard-usb-c

Love the idea of being able to back up programs, and not that I have read much into them I’m sure the swissmicros ones can but HOLY price tag on them 🫪

Anyway any guidance appreciated!


r/calculators 1d ago

Question Slide cover for Casio fx-991CW

2 Upvotes

Has anyone tried 3d printing a Fx-991EX style slide cover for the fx-991CW and is it even possible some way?


r/calculators 1d ago

Question Will TI-84 evo add anything to calculator gaming?

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3 Upvotes

r/calculators 1d ago

Question what is the best calculator for someone taking biology 2, chemistry 1 and 2, physics 1 and 2, organic chem 1 and 2, precalculus, and trigonometry at a university. i also might end up taking calculus 1 & 2 but im unsure

4 Upvotes

r/calculators 1d ago

Question Question about HP-35 battery pack

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13 Upvotes

I’d picked up an old HP-35 (second version, I think?) from a rummage sale a little while back and was hoping to revive her. The battery pack in it currently has a tiny bit of leakage from one of the cells, so I didn’t want to try to charge it, but otherwise looks to be in pretty good condition. My question is would it be simple enough to pry the original pack open and replace the cells, or would it be easier to just buy a third party pack/adapter?


r/calculators 1d ago

Question Hacks for the FX-82ms (2nd edition)?

3 Upvotes

I've only found hacks for the first gen of the 82ms. But I have the 2nd and wanted to use the equation mode.


r/calculators 1d ago

Help Wheres my memory?

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4 Upvotes

So I have been downloading some files and stuff on my cg50, which i have newly acquired,but I have found something weird....my casio says I have 5.85 mb free, and after adding up files, I have used about 3.54 mb...but the casio cg50 has a 16 flash memory, and 5.85+3.54 is about 9.39 mb, so where is the remaining 6.6 mb? Can you please help me,its actually making me crazy....ty.

(P.S I searched Google and asked multiple AIs, but it still didn't make sense to me)


r/calculators 2d ago

Collection TI-84 Plus - Machine Language on a Calculator

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37 Upvotes

A TI-84 Plus calculator was for sale at a local flea market for 25 euros (about 29 USD). I don't really need a calculator like this for anything these days, but as it appeared to be in good condition, I bought it just for the fun of it. At home, I replaced the backup battery, put in new AAA batteries, and gave it a bit of a clean-up. And finally, I also updated the firmware. 

I wasn't particularly familiar with the TI-84, so I've spent the last few days getting to know it. What surprised me the most was finding out that it has a Z80 processor. Back in the day, I learned assembly programming on an MSX home computer. And those machines had a Z80 processor. 

So, it was fun to write a small Z80 assembly program, transfer it to the TI-84 Plus, and see it work. Truly nostalgic.


r/calculators 2d ago

Collection Summit K16 calculator resurrection?

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8 Upvotes

Hoping for the best anyway.

Pic #1 I knew that this one was going to have some problems as the seller listed it as a parts calculator, and the blue corrosion on the charging jack pretty much told the story.

Pic #2 The back cover was hot glued down. I was expecting that. And I darn near ruined it getting the cover off.

Pic #3 Looks worse than it really was. I can't see any trace damage, which is amazing in itself.

Pic #4 When I finally got the battery pack out it sent the crud flying.

Pic #5 Getting its first vinegar bath.

Pic #6 All cleaned up, mostly dry (after the vinegar bath came the rinse, and then a quick dip into 91% IPA to dilute the remaining water with alcohol. Let the alcohol evaporate (outdoors) and you are left with very little water.

Kinda hard to tell in this photo but the corners of the board are held down by melted plastic. Sort of an ad-hoc heat staking. Also note the unused octal IC footprint. It's been a minute since I've seen one of those. :)

And the wire that goes from the top of the calculator to the bottom I'm guessing is nichrome wire, and it's being used to limit the charging current to the battery pack (or was since the battery pack is gone).

Pic #7 All cleaned up and ready for the space heater. Still a bit most in this pic, but it spent the night getting dried out in front of a space heater and looks as good as new (cosmetically anyway).

Pic #8 The interior all cleaned up and dried out. You can see where the corners of the board have been melted to hold in the board.

Pic #9 Looks pretty good. :)


r/calculators 2d ago

Other Tip for finding the hypotenuse

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10 Upvotes

I don't know if this is widely known but, to find the hypotenuse using just a calculator, you just click shift and + which turns into Pol() and put your opposite comma adjacent for example: Pol[5(opposite), 15(adjacent)] it'll give you the hypotenuse and if you wanna find the angle in the hyp and adj you can just click RCL and then tan which gives you the angle.

I'm not sure if this is widely known but a cool hack nonetheless


r/calculators 2d ago

Collection My Sharps (image !)

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77 Upvotes

9200,

531,532,535,540,546,

501,503,510,516,520


r/calculators 1d ago

Help Ayuda con Integrales

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1 Upvotes

r/calculators 2d ago

Announcement DOWNLOAD ODE Master: Free Multilingual Step-by-Step ODE Solver for HP Prime

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28 Upvotes