1.1.2 Launching the Windows scientific calculator

From the Start menu on your Windows desktop choose 'Programs', then 'Accessories' and then 'Calculator' (if 'Calculator' doesn't appear on the menu, click the double down arrows at the bottom).

If this is the first time you have used the Windows calculator then it is possible that only the standard view of the calculator will be displayed, but you will need to use the scientific view. To display this, click on the View menu in the calculator's menu bar and select 'Scientific'. This will display the full scientific calculator shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 The Windows scientific calculator

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This figure shows the Windows scientific calculator. Under the header bar is a small toolbar with Edit, View and Help drop down menus. Next is the space where calculations selected in the calculator buttons are shown. Below that are a number of buttons allowing the choice of number system (such as binary or decimal, degrees or radians). Then the main calculator buttons are laid out in columns. To the left are scientific functions such as log and sin. To the right are numerals 0 – 9, plus, minus and so on.

Figure 1 The Windows scientific calculator