[tabulus]

how is it useless. The basic ti-30 calculators are the same way. Even a ti-89 does it that way. Logically if you try to add "10%" (just what 10% is, not 10% of 100) it's .1 as other said in decimals. 10%(100) + 100 would work out. But do we need to find the % sign to get 10% of 100, let alone use a calculator for 100 + 10% of 100?

(I'm sure that problem was just used as an example)

The button is useless because

a) Who wants to know what 15% as a decimal is?
b) By saying 200 + 10% = 200 + 0.2 we are mixing our units, i.e. an absolute value with a ratio [0-1]. That's just wrong. Clearly if anyone did 100 + 10% they want 100 plus 10% of 100, but there is no 'of' button.

Its a waste of a button!

[andino]

Lol 15% as a decimal is .15. What's hard to remember about that? Percentages aren't the hardest thing to remember. You'd prob have a harder time remembering pi or e hehe

[tabulus]

Matlab??? How deep are your pockets?

[kellands]

Hmmm pie

Ooo sorry wrong sort of pie

[andino]

Matlab??? How deep are your pockets?

Its provided by school and where I work

[tHe.iR1sH]

It's a platform expectation thing. While the Blackberry handsets do calculate the % as a reference to the previously entered item and the tablet calculates % as an absolute reference.

Try to think of the intended audience of the phone and then a tablet. Are you more likely to calculate a tip on your phone or your tablet? Are you more likely to do project/school math on your tablet or phone. I think of the phone calculator as a convenience calculator...so it made some assumptions about the intended use. The tablet...I think of it as pure calculator.

[Ledur]

At least, the PB is consistant. Docs To Go Excel also gives 100.1

[southlander]

Wolfram Alpha matches my Bold:

100 + 10% - Wolfram|Alpha

[abramadhi]

The easiest way to see how the calc was programed, just look at the keys..The PB's they put "(" and ")" so you have to input the equation like when you do a math calculation, not the "lazy" way. The one in the bb doesn't has "(" or ")" on it.

[blackburberry]

I might be opening myself up to a moment were I feel as smart as a neanderthal,

Kellands I believe there are many PB users that shared your observations. Thanks for bringing it forward for discussion.

It has been discussed before but the resulting nerd dogpile once again highlights the depth of knowledge in Crackberry membership and use of the PB Calculator.

For quick n simple purchases and/or discount values use the tip calculator with one person and no rounding up as default settings.

[FF22]

The easiest way to see how the calc was programed, just look at the keys..The PB's they put "(" and ")" so you have to input the equation like when you do a math calculation, not the "lazy" way. The one in the bb doesn't has "(" or ")" on it.

Since you mentioned the Parenthesis, what is the meaning of the key with the:

(-) as opposed to just the - key

[Superfly_FR]

I might be opening myself up to a moment were I feel as smart as a neanderthal,

But when I was using the calculator on my playbook to work out some expenses & I went to add a percentage it gave me a wrong figure.

I've tried to do simple percentage figures with the calculator in many different ways but it will flash red on the display unless the correct sequence is pressed.

If I do a simple 100+10%= I get the answer 100.1

Now my maths has always been reasonably good but I've been getting lazy a bit recently but I haven't lost it that bad to know that is just slightly wrong.

If i try it any other way it just won't do it.

I'm running OS version 2.0.0.6149

Anyone else have this fault

Or have a fix

You could type
100*1.10
10%(100)+100
100 + 100*10%
to get the result you want.

[Tom-Z]

what is the meaning of the key with the: (-) as opposed to just the - key

The difference is subtle: (-) is negation, - is subtraction. Using (-) allows you to calculate things like 5 x -3 = -15, you enter that as 5 x (-) 3, entering 5 x - 3 is interpreted as 5-3.

[Canuck671]

if u use the scientific calc with the x10x it works ok

100+10*10(0)=110

[Canuck671]

how do u get that op ?

mine is 1.0.8.6067 - and that wa just updated.

[kellands]

how do u get that op ?

mine is 1.0.8.6067 - and that wa just updated.

If you mean the OS, that was the beta I was running its now 2.0.0.71111

There's loads of threads about the beta OS & I prefer the look & feel of it.

I haven't done much with side loading apps yet though.

[lindsey_eugenio]

I might be opening myself up to a moment were I feel as smart as a neanderthal,

But when I was using the calculator on my playbook to work out some expenses & I went to add a percentage it gave me a wrong figure.

I've tried to do simple percentage figures with the calculator in many different ways but it will flash red on the display unless the correct sequence is pressed.

If I do a simple 100+10%= I get the answer 100.1

Now my maths has always been reasonably good but I've been getting lazy a bit recently but I haven't lost it that bad to know that is just slightly wrong.

If i try it any other way it just won't do it.

I'm running OS version 2.0.0.6149

Anyone else have this fault

Or have a fix

you have wrong operation...
very easy how to compute the 10% of 100
100 x 10%=10
10% of 100 is 10
100 + 10=110
110 is additional in 10%

[Loquitur]

A calculator is not an equation. Nor is it a math lesson. It's a tool that should be as useful as possible to as many people as possible. Thus the different designs. Read the little manual and use the % button happily for the rest of your days.

[sad_old_man]

I have been reading this thread now every night for four years and I have finally grasped what you are all talking about and by the way thank you all for your help!

Being a bit (lot) thick, I can't use a calculator but even I have worked out that the best way of keeping your calculator accurate is:

1. Do not upgrade to OS 2.0
2. Use Google for your calculations

Glad I'm thick!

[rcm1301]

PB native calc: 100+10%=100.1
AIR calc: 100+10%=110

The intent for this statement is to get 110, not 100.1 (add 10% to 100) Also test if with 200 (200.1 vs 220).
Go check it on any handheld calculator, not just app.

Those Canadians are crazy and cannot do math. That is why the PB native calc lies in a folder called JUNK because it cannot be deleted.