This is a scientific calculator. There is a display for the results and a rectangular array of buttons for numbers and scientific functions. Standard numbers and operators may be entered from the keyboard. The function buttons may be accessed by using hot keys, or by tabbing through the various items. Also, buttons reached by using CTRL and the arrow keys to move left, right, up, or down from the current point of focus. When the focus is on a button, pressing F1 will call the help file describing that button and its associated hot key.
When a button is reached by tabbing, it is spoken if the voice is on. One may use the F12 hot key to repeat the last spoken phrase, or one can use the CTRL R, "speak focus," hot key to read the point of focus. Also, when a button is reached by tabbing or by CTRL and arrow keys, pressing F1 will call the help file describing the function for that button and its associated hot key.
The calculator display shows the last number that has been entered or calculated. The display may be voiced with the CTRL S hot key. After the display has been read, it can be browsed with normal browsing keys such as HOME, END, and RIGHT and LEFT ARROW.
Expressions are evaluated and the display is updated and spoken when the equals sign is pressed. The display is also updated and spoken when many of the special functions are used.
The display is not updated for the X^Y, +/-, ), or decimal point buttons, or when changing the Trig-mode box.
The display is updated but not spoken when entering an operator ( +, -, multiply, or divide) after two numbers have been entered separated by an operator. The display is also updated but not spoken when the Number Base box setting is changed.
Other useful keys on the calculator determine the square root or the logarithm of a displayed value. SHIFT R is the keyboard shortcut for the square root. SHIFT L is the shortcut for the natural (base e) logarithm and SHIFT G gives the base 10 logarithm. P is the shortcut for the Pi (3.14159) button.
The Trig-mode and Number Base boxes can be modified by tabbing to their location and using the up or down arrow keys to choose the desired mode. These boxes can be selected with hot keys: CTRL T for the Trig-mode and CTRL B for Number Base, and then altered with the up or down arrow keys.
Also in the upper left area of the calculator are two check boxes: Inverse and Hyperbolic. These modify the trigonometric function keys of Sine, Cosine, and Tangent to provide additional trig functions such as ArcSin (Inverse Sine) or Cosh (Hyperbolic Cosine). The check box fields are cleared after the trig function is performed. When moving the focus to these check box fields, the status of the box is spoken. The status of the box can be changed by pressing the SPACE key. An auditory indicator (high tone for checked, low tone for unchecked) can be heard when changing the box status.
In addition, below the check boxes is the Trig-mode box. This box contains a list of options (Degrees, Radians, and Gradians) that determine which mode to calculate the trigonometric functions.
For example, to calculate the Sine of 56 degrees; the Trig-mode box should be set to Degrees, then type 56 and either TAB to the Sin button or use the SHIFT S shortcut. SHIFT C is the shortcut for Cosine, SHIFT T for Tangent.
The Nuber Base option will convert a number in the display into another base. The TC is capable of changing the base of a number to Binary (base 2), Octal (base 8), Decimal (base 10), or Hexadecimal (base 16.) When the Number Base is changed, the number in the display is immediately changed and the appropriate number keys become active: 0 - 1 for Binary, 0 - 7 for Octal, 0 - 9 for Decimal, and 0 - F for Hexadecimal. The "new" number in the calculator display can be read with CTRL S.
The calculator also contains a memory register. The keyboard shortcuts are very similar to cut and pasting text in most word processors. Storing the contents of the display is accomplished with the CTRL C hot key. The contents in the memory can be recalled with CTRL V, and additional values can be added to memory with CTRL A. The contents of the memory is voiced with CTRL M. The memory can be voiced without recalling the contents into the display.
The calculator's hot key shortcuts are summarized on the Calculator Hot Keys page.
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Questions about the Accessible Graphing Calculator? Problems with the download? Send e-mail to: triangle@dots.physics.orst.edu
The Accessible Graphing Calculator was written by the Science Access Project at Oregon State University. It is Copyrighted and all rights are reserved.
Last modified February 14, 2000.