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casio fx-570d

here is one of the modernised casio scientifics, but before operation changed to formula entry. as it is, it is quite nice to use, slim, pocket sized with a wallet style cover. the display is 10+2 and segments, which makes for clear reading than with dots. a number of handy annunciators remind the user of the current mode, memory and the existence of a non-zero imaginary part when in complex mode. maybe these are the super-fx. other super-fx models include the fx-85v and the fx-300h.

there is a good set of features on offer, the usual scientific functions, fractions, number bases, 2d stats with linear regression, complex numbers and 32 handy built-in scientific constants. i also like the delete key which is nice addition over the older models, like the original fx-570.

other super-fx improvements are that trig functions go further than 1440 degrees and fractions can now have more than 3 digit numerators and denominators, limited only by the 10 digit display.

complex numbers look interesting, you enter the number as if you are performing arithmetic, eg 1+2i making use of the i button. like this, brackets are often required, eg (3+i)/(1+2i)= is calculated as written with the brackets being entered. nicely, the delete key doubles as a real/imaginary display toggle when not entering numbers. this makes reading the imaginary part painless, but not quite as nice as having two lines of display like the fx-5500l.

the fun ends there with complex numbers unfortunately, because, apart from 1/x , +/- and the memory, no other complex operations are supported, no square root, or logs, even x^2 fails on complex which is a bit lame but better than nothing.

stats are implemented with the usual unstable formula as usual for casio.

in conclusion, this makes for a not at all bad, handy scientific calculator, inexpensive, light and pocket sized with hex arithmetic, a sensible button layout and a readable display. you need the little reference card in the wallet to remind you of the code number for the physics constants.

it is powered from a single lr54 battery.