Comparison of Formula Evaluators
Happy New Year! Let’s start the new year by comparing formula evaluator calculators. The calculators featured are:
TI-68 (late 1980s/1990s)
Sharp EL-5150 (late 1970s/early 1980s)
fx-4200P (late 1980s/early 1990s)
fx-5000f (late 1980s/early 1990s)
Formula evaluator: A calculator which strictly evaluates simple formulas. There are no loops, no solvers, no sums. The formula evaluates to one answer but can have more than one inputs.
Example:
Allowed: f(x) = x² + 3 – 1 / x
Allowed: f(a,b) = (a * b) / (a + b)
Not Allowed: f(x) = Σ(x² / 3, x = 0, 10)
Not Allowed: f(x) = [1 if x ≥ 0, else 0]
|
TI-60X |
TI-68 |
Sharp EL-5150 |
fx-4200P |
fx-5000F |
Battery |
1 x CR2032 |
1 X CR2032 |
3 x SR44/LR44 |
1 x CR2032 |
2 x CR2032 |
Memory (bytes) |
12 registers (84 bytes) |
55 registers (440 bytes) |
80 steps |
279 steps |
675 steps |
Variables: Number and Type |
12, Single letter: A through I, X, Y, Z |
Up to three character variables (3 character variables take up 2 registers) |
11: A – J, M |
26 single letters for formulas only: A – Z; 6 separate numerical constants (K1-K6) |
Letters and Greek characters for formulas only; separate numerical constants (K0-K9) |
Does store values to variables take space? |
Yes, each variable takes up a register |
Yes, 1 register for 1 or 2 character variables, 2 for 3 character variables |
No |
No |
No |
How Formulas are accessed |
[ 2nd ] [ EE ] (FMLA) |
[ 2nd ] [ EE ] (FMLA) |
AER Mode; up to 5 lines |
[ IN ]/[ OUT ] |
[ MODE ] 2: WRT Prog 0-9,A,B: 12 slots |
Integration? ∫ f(x) dx |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Base conversions? |
Yes, with Boolean logic |
Yes, with Boolean logic |
No |
Yes, 32 bit binary block |
No |
Complex numbers? |
No |
Yes, with trig and log complex calculations |
No |
No |
No |
Engineering symbols? |
No |
No |
Display toggle switch |
Display toggle switch |
Display toggle switch |
Conversions? |
Yes. 4 pairs (in/cm, gal/L, lb/kg, °F/°C) |
Yes. 4 pairs (in/cm, gal/L, lb/kg, °F/°C) |
No |
No |
No |
Scientific Constants? |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes ([ALPHA] [ ln ] (CONST)), 13
|
Other |
|
Special 13 digit precision mode |
Landscape form |
|
128 built in formulas |
The four pairs of conversions included in the TI-60X and TI-68 are:
in/cm: inches/centimeters
gal/L: gallons/liters
lb/kg: pounds/kilograms
°F/°C: degrees Fahrenheit/degrees Celsius
The scientific constants included on the fx-5000F are:
c: Speed of Light
h: Planck’s Constant
G: Universal Gravitational Constant
e: Elementary Charge
me: Electron Mass
u: Atomic Mass Unit
k: Boltzmann Constant
Vm: Molar Volume of Ideal Gas at Standard, Temperature, and Pressure
g: Earth’s Gravity Constant
R: Molar Gas Constant
ε0: Permittivity of Vacuum
µ0: Permeability of Vacuum
All the constants are in SI units.
Out of the calculators listed, my favorites are the TI-68 and fx-5000F.
Eddie
All original content copyright, © 2011-2025. Edward Shore. Unauthorized use and/or unauthorized distribution for commercial purposes without express and written permission from the author is strictly prohibited. This blog entry may be distributed for noncommercial purposes, provided that full credit is given to the author.
The author does not use AI engines and never will.
