[General Topics] Skyica:
Intermediate scientific and graphing calculators

I use the feature list for basic scientific calculators as baseline here (scroll down

this post

).

Graphing Calculator – Algeo​

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This app has a simple user interface but some advanced features like 2D graphing.

The textbook-notation input and the always visible calculation history are very convenient.

Calculation:

Missing Random numbers, prime factorization, lcm

Feature Fractions

Feature Complex numbers

Feature Very limited equation solver (returns NaN for sin(x) = 1 and 1/x = -1)

Feature Symbolic differentiation, Numeric integration, Taylor series

Feature One variable statistics

Feature Calculation with units and unit conversion

Feature scientific constants

Graphing:

Feature 2D cartesian, polar, and parametric plots with tracing

Memories/variables, functions:

Bad Only 4 memories, saving is inconvenient

Input and output:

Feature Input in textbook notation

Feature Automatic calculation without tapping enter key

Number formatting:

Missing No custom number of decimal places

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Jade Scientific Calculator​

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This is another app with a simple user interface but some advanced features.

The textbook-notation input and the always visible calculation history are very convenient.

It has some useful customization options.

Calculation:

Missing Random numbers, prime factorization, gcd, lcm

Feature Calculation with exact expressions like fraction, roots, pi

Feature Simplification of expressions with variables

Feature Numeric and symbolic differentiation and integration,

1/(1+sin(x)), but not others

but no equation solving

Feature Complex numbers (rectangular)

Feature Scientific constants

Input and output:

Feature Input in textbook notation

Number formatting

Missing No custom number of decimal places

Adaption and customization

Feature Different keyboard sizes

Missing No user guide, and some things are not obvious

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Graphing Calculator (X84)​

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This app is designed to closely resemble the TI-84, while making use of the touch-interface of Android devices.

It seems to do this really well, but graphing could be implemented better.

Also, it seems to include virtually all functionality of the TI-84 calculators, including programming in TI-BASIC (but not Python).

Calculation:

Feature Complex numbers

Feature Calculation with fractions

Feature Base-n calculation

Feature Numeric equation solving (1 real variable)

Feature Numeric differentiation and integration

Feature Numeric minima and maxima finding

Feature Sums and products of sequences

Feature Matrix calculation

Feature Base-n calculation: conversion and bitwise operations for bases 2 to 16

Feature One and two variable statistics with histograms

Feature Statistical tests

Feature Probability distributions

Feature Confidence intervals

Feature Regression with plots

Feature Unit conversion

Feature Scientific constants

Graphing:

Feature 2D cartesian, polar, and parametric plots with tracing

Bad No equal-axes-zoom, no simultaneous pan and zoom with 2 fingers

Bad Quality is unnecessarily low (visible for functions like sin(1/x))

Bad Grid not adapting well to zoom

Programming

Feature TI-BASIC

Memories/variables, functions

Feature Saving expressions

Input and output:

Feature Input in textbook notation

Feature Undo & Redo

Bad Status bar is hidden and cannot be shown permanently

Feature Function / command reference

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Class Calc Graphing & Statistics​

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This app has a quite sophisticated interface, and statistics and regression seem to be implemented well.

However, it has serious bugs and problems, e.g.:

For the derivative of e^x, it returns something like (1196457)^-x*(32535443)^x (a fraction-approximation of e^x)

For the integral of 1/(1+sin(x)) it incorrectly returns ln(1+sin(X))

It seems not possible to solve equations

No complex numbers

Zooming of graphs does not work well

The web interface has the same problems.

NumWorks Emulator​

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This is an emulator of a good intermediate scientific graphing calculator, however it is quite inconvenient since it supports input over the emulated keyboard only.

Scientific Calculator Advanced​

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This app has some advanced features like 2D graphing, matrix calculations, and equation solving. However, the user interface is inconvenient for this functionality. Also the status bar is hidden and cannot be shown permanently.

Taculator Graphing Calculator​

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This is another app designed to closely resemble the TI-84.

Serious problems are immediately evident:

Lag between tapping a key and the reaction, getting worse with using the app (restarting helps)

Entering 2π gives 23.1415…

2D graphing: when zooming, the graphs are not recalculated, so that they get jaggy.

(The iPhone version has fewer problems.)

Also, the lifetime Pro version costs $64 (against $2 / $4 for the best apps).