The correct spelling of the popular device used for mathematical calculations is "electronic calculator." It is pronounced as /ɪˌlɛkˈtrɒnɪk ˈkælkjʊleɪtə/. The word "electronic" is spelled with the letter "e" before "l" to represent the "ih" sound, while the letter "c" in "calculator" is pronounced as "k," making use of the hard "c" sound. Phonetically, this word is a combination of two words "electronic" and "calculator," with the stress on the second syllable of "calculator."
An electronic calculator is a small handheld device or a computer program designed to perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately. It is a portable electronic device that has become an indispensable tool in various fields including mathematics, finance, engineering, and everyday life.
Typically operated with buttons, an electronic calculator has a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light-emitting diode (LED) screen that shows numerical values and mathematical symbols. It is powered by batteries or solar cells, allowing for convenience in usage.
Electronic calculators can perform basic arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but they can also handle more complex operations like trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions. They often come equipped with memory functions, allowing for storing and retrieving previous calculations.
Modern electronic calculators often have additional features like currency and unit conversions, percentage calculations, statistical analysis, and graphing capabilities. Some even offer programmable functions that allow users to write and execute complex mathematical formulas or perform repetitive calculations.
Electronic calculators have greatly enhanced efficiency and accuracy in mathematical computations, serving as time-saving tools across various industries and educational institutes. From simple grocery shopping calculations to complex scientific research, electronic calculators have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, providing quick and reliable results.
The term "electronic calculator" originated from the combination of two main words: "electronic" and "calculator".
The word "electronic" comes from the Latin word "electron", meaning "amber" or "amber-like fossilized resin". This term was later used in the 19th century to describe electricity-related phenomena. It is derived from the Greek word "ēlektron", similar in meaning.
The word "calculator" has an older origin and has its roots in the Latin word "calculare", meaning "to count, compute, or reckon". It comes from the word "calculus", which originally referred to a pebble used for counting or calculating.
Together, the term "electronic calculator" emerged to describe a device that uses electronic components to perform mathematical calculations. It combines the notion of electricity (electronic) and the concept of counting or computing (calculator).