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Components of calculator


Input
Modern 2016 electronic calculators contain a keyboard with buttons for digits and arithmetical operations; some even contain "00" and "000" buttons to make larger or smaller numbers easier to enter. Most basic calculators assign only one digit or operation on each button; however, in more specific calculators, a button can perform multi-function working with key combinations.

Display output
Calculators usually have liquid-crystal displays (LCD) as output in place of historical light-emitting diode (LED) displays and vacuum fluorescent displays (VFD); details are provided in the section Technical improvements.
Large-sized figures and comma separators are often used to improve readability. Various symbols for function commands may also be shown on the display. Fractions such as  1⁄3 are displayed as decimal approximations, for example rounded to 0.33333333. Also, some fractions (such as  1⁄7, which is 0.14285714285714; to 14 significant figures) can be difficult to recognize in decimal form; as a result, many scientific calculators are able to work in vulgar fractions or mixed numbers.

Memory
Calculators also have the ability to store numbers into computer memory. Basic types of these store only one number at a time; more specific types are able to store many numbers represented in variables. The variables can also be used for constructing formulas. Some models have the ability to extend memory capacity to store more numbers; the extended memory address is termed an array index.

Power source
Power sources of calculators are: batteries, solar cells or mains electricity (for old models), turning on with a switch or button. Some models even have no turn-off button but they provide some way to put off (for example, leaving no operation for a moment, covering solar cell exposure, or closing their lid). Crank-powered calculators were also common in the early computer era.
Key layout
Usual basic pocket calculator layout
MC MR M- M+
C ± % √
7 8 9 ÷
4 5 6 ×
1 2 3 −
0 . = +
MC or CM Memory Clear
MR or RM Memory Recall
M- Memory Subtraction
M+ Memory Addition
C or AC All Clear
CE Clear (last) Entry; sometimes called CE/C: a first press clears the last entry (CE), a second press clears all (C)
± Toggle positive/negative number
 % Percent
÷ Division
× Multiplication
– Subtraction
+ Addition
. Decimal point
√ Square root
= Result

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