Write Your Own Calculator Program

Summary

Areas of Science

Computer Science

Difficulty

Method

Engineering Design Process

Time Required

Short (2-5 days)

Prerequisites

Experience with a programming language of your choice

Material Availability

Readily available

Cost

Very Low (under $20)

Safety

No issues

Credits

Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies

Science Buddies is committed to creating content authored by scientists and educators. Learn more about our process and how we use AI.

Image Credit: Alexander Stein / Pixabay Content License

Abstract

When you need a calculator, what do you use? A physical calculator? An app on your phone? A web browser? What features does the calculator have? Does it just do basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)? Can it do other mathematical functions, like square roots or exponents? Can you use parenthesis? Does it have a backspace button? That is a lot to consider for a seemingly very simple device or program!

For a computer science project, can you write your own calculator program in a language of your choice? You will need to consider all of the questions listed above and more when designing your calculator program. What features do you want it to have? What mathematical functions will it be able to do? What will the user interface look like and how will the user enter numbers? At minimum, try to make a basic calculator that can do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For a more advanced project, include additional mathematical functions, or other features like the ability to store a variable or recall history. You can also think about error checking - what happens if your user types in letters instead of numbers, or enters a number with multiple decimal points, like "31.29.54"?

If you are not sure what programming language to use, check out these learning resources from the Raspberry Pi foundation. You could try Scratch, a graphical programming language that is great for beginners; Python, one of the world's most popular programming languages; or JavaScript, a great choice if you want to make your calculator run in a web browser. Alternatively, if you want to make a calculator app that runs out on a phone, check out MIT App Inventor.

Ask an Expert

Do you have specific questions about your science project? Our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.

Post a Question

Global Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

This project explores topics key to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Careers

If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:

Computer Programmer

Log in to add favorite More Menu

• Read More

Career Profile

Computers are essential tools in the modern world, handling everything from traffic control, car welding, movie animation, shipping, aircraft design, and social networking to book publishing, business management, music mixing, health care, agriculture, and online shopping. Computer programmers are the people who write the instructions that tell computers what to do. Read more

Web Developer and Designer

Log in to add favorite More Menu

• Read More

Career Profile

Are you interested in how a website is set up and how the website runs? As a web developer and designer you could design a website's look and feel and create the code to make sure the website works. You could set up a website for your favorite store with payment options, making sure it works with the ever growing list of browsers and devices. Do you like working behind the scenes? You could design the layout or write the supporting code for an app or website while collaborating with other web… Read more

News Feed on This Topic

 

, ,

Explore Our Science Videos

Explore How we Breathe | STEM Lesson Plan

How to Make a Simple Refracting Telescope (Monocular) | STEM Activity

Arduino Mini-Drone Lesson Part 2: Controlling Motors with an Arduino and a Transistor