Sunday, September 23, 2018

Casio Desktop Calculators: Calculating at a Very Fast Speed

Casio Desktop Calculators:  Calculating at a Very Fast Speed

Introduction: Wow That's Fast!

Recently, there is a discussion on the Museum of HP Calculators forum on "postfix algebraic scientific calculators still in production".  The conversation turned to two-key rollover which allowed for fast typing on the calculator.  A member ijabott, directed us to a three minute snippet of a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwGL4Z__Ufc&feature=youtu.be).  The video featured Asuka Kamimura, a champion of speed calculating, quickly adding a long list of numbers with great accuracy.  I was blown away on how she quickly keyed in those numbers.  The video explained that Kamimura was going 9 keystrokes a second.*

**Thank you Mark Hardman for pointing out my error (on minute).  The sentence is now correct.  

The video also explained that are calculator clubs in Japanese high schools that practice calculator speed typing for seven hours on Saturdays and Sundays.  There are also calculator speed contests in Japan.  If anyone reading this has the link or information for the 2018 or even the upcoming 2019 contest, please let me know.

The video also shows a technique on how fast calculating can be accomplished (starts at the 2:59 mark of the above video):

Thumb works on the 0 key only.

The index finger covers the 1-4-7 keys, along with the 00 and any keys on the left side of the keyboard.

The middle finger covers the decimal point, and the row with the 2-5-8 keys.

The ring finger covers the 3-6-9 row, along with the subtraction, multiplication, and division keys.  The ring finger also has the equals key.

Finally, little finger is for the plus key.

Regarding the setup and the keys on the calculator, your mileage may vary.  The setup present for right-hand users, hence for left-handed users will have to adjust accordingly (thumb works on the plus key, index works with 3-6-9, middle has 2-5-8, ring has 1-4-7, and little has the 0 key for left-handed users).

The Calculators That Allow for Fast Typing

The calculator shown in the video is a Casio ND-26S (0:45).  It is a Japanese model, also designated as a "Study Cal".  Also featured is the Casio AZ-25S (3:33), a "Study Cal".  According to Casio, "Study Cal" are sold to schools only.

Here is a picture of the ND-26S from the Casio Calculator Collectors website:  http://www.casio-calculator.com/Museum/Pages/NNN/ND-26S/Casio%20ND-26S.html

Here in the United States, Casio (and Canon) sells calculators that allow for fast typing. If you are interested, look for the larger desktop type of calculators.  Pictured below are two examples:

Casio WS-320MT
Casio JF-100BM

Casio WS-320MT (left), Casio JF-100BM (right)


Note:  I think all the newer keyboards on Casio calculators are designed for fast typing, even the scientific and graphing ones. (fx-991EX Classwiz, fx-CG50)

Want to Give it a Shot?

Try adding the columns as fast and accurately as you can.




For me, it currently takes me about a 1:20 to add up the 40 numbers in each of the blue boxes on my left hand (my non-dominate hand, I'm normally right-handed).  This is after 30 minutes of practice.

Sources

Videos:

"Japanese people take their calculators very seriously"  Posted by Henrik Nieslen on October 26, 2014.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwGL4Z__Ufc&feature=youtu.be 

This segment is part of the Japanology series.

"2013 06 13 BEIGN Japaonlogy Calculators"  Posted by 13blackmercury on September 4, 2013.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_GVkR0SITo

This particular episode was aired on June 13, 2013.

Discussion on HP Museum of Calculators:

"Postfix algebraic scientific calculators still in production"  HP Museum of Calculators Forum.  Thread began on September 13, 2018.  http://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-11385.html

Calculators (links all retrieved on September 23, 2018):

"ND-26S" Casio Calculator Collectors.   http://www.casio-calculator.com/Museum/Pages/NNN/ND-26S/Casio%20ND-26S.html

AZ-26S Product Page.  Casio.  https://casio.jp/dentaku/products/AZ-26S/  (page is in Japanese)

WM-320MT Product Page. Casio.  https://www.casio.com/products/calculators/desktop/wm-320mt  (United States)

JF-100BM Product Page.  Casio.  https://www.casio.com/products/calculators/desktop/jf-100bm  (United States)

Have fun!  Eddie

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