1.1 Introduction
Today’s scientific calculators are highly powerful and if their operation is properly understood, a little innovative imagination can do wonders. Long calculations are a normal part of design and analysis, where students spend time like anything, and conclude the computational procedure in distaste. As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Today’s world is of science and technology. Science has pervaded in other branches of knowledge, it has become difficult to think a subject thoroughly explained without inviting science to help. More insight into the natural phenomena are required and as a way, they demand computations. Subjects specifically related to engineering and technology, are heavily computational. Fortunately, powerful computing devices are readily available and in every body’s reach. It has been observed that usually students buy scientific calculators. But it is a pity that most of these students usually imagine the operations of multiplying and dividing, and computations of functions like sine and cosine is the all a scientific calculator can do.
Ever since, tedious mathematical problems in the organization is not a simple one, that is to say, the process can be said to involve a lot of procedures or protocols which ranges from insertion of figures for tedious calculation, processing of numbers and retrieval of errors. However, because of this, there is the need to accomplish an extensive research to discover the intricacies involved in the entire process. So the researcher decided to embark on this work design and implementation of a simple scientific calculator
Scientific calculator differs a lot from other basic calculators. The basic calculator ignores the order of operations. The main purpose of the scientific calculator has the function that we need to perform the calculation in chemistry, physics, engineering, or trigonometric problems. It has a significant role when the function is being worked with scientific notation. Computer has gone from being fantasies of science, fiction of realities of everyday life, especially in the offices, school (educational organization). This work is a research aimed at solving the above problem. When this system actualizes, it would be received of solving tedious calculations and sophisticated mathematical problems.
1.3 Statement of Problems
In computation of numbers, there ties several kinds of problems in solving tedious arithmetic operation with simple calculator, having been facing a lot of general problems, the problem identified below relate to computation of numbers:
- Low and slow speed of the calculator
- Inappropriate representation of data
- Loss of figure in computation of higher numbers
- Inability of handling complex arithmetic operation
- The processing of numbers are in binary coded decimal (BCD).
To check these problems in computation of numbers solution such as
- Introducing a standard scientific module into the entire system to perform tedious arithmetic operation.
- Apply logic and algorithms simulation to the system
- Introducing scientific calculator that will operate in the correct order rather than four function calculators
- Checking overhauling of the system that are deemed incompetent
1.4 Purpose of the Study
Since it is time saying that there is no smoke without fire, the effort to carry out the research was not first conceived. To particularilize the matter and concept ‘what a calculator can do in solving tedious problems and how it is done? There is serious need for this study. In view of the aforementioned problems inherent in the design of the simple scientific calculator, the purpose of the study is to provide on overview of the simple design calculator.
Another purpose is to change the processing number from binary coded decimal (BCD) to ASCLL coded which is better and familiar with today computer processing. The format 12H2- cannot be used in the design again, this means that it will not be controlled by a hardware state machine.
Finally, the purpose of this work is to improve the speed of the simple calculator in such a way that it will maximize the hardware needed and reduce the cost and complexity of the machine. This will help us to enjoy the anticipated high speed of our calculator.
1.5 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to design and implement a Simple Scientific Calculator. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to design and develop an application software that will:
- Examine the current procedures employed in computer with regard to the calculator.
- Improve the speed of the simple calculator in such a way that it will reduce complexity in solving with simple calculator.
- Design a simple calculator that ensure timely processing
- Design a calculator that will change the processing number to ASCLL code.
- Reduce the problems immensely and provides a release working environment.
1.6 Significance of Study
The project will be designed and implemented will be relevant based on the following:
- The web programming language will make the program to run on any computer.
- The project will ensure timely and accurate processing in computer.
- The speed of the computer will improve after the implementation of the anticipated simple scientific calculator.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of Study
The process covers only of two approaches used in producing the simple calculator which are logic simulation and algorithm simulation due to the fact that it is difficult to develop a scientific simple calculator that will calculate every existing calculation in all field of study, this research has been limited to arithmetic operation calculation.
The study also involves the web programming language for the writing and running of the source code or program. The brief description on processed data in equally included.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.9 Definition of Terms
- BCD: Binary Code Decimal
- Calculator: A small electronic device or machine for calculating numbers.
- ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange computer. An electronic device that work under the control of stored program, automatically accepting , storing and processing data to produce information that is the result of the processing.
- Arithmetic Shifts: Moving bits in registers either left or right in order to multiple or divide.
- Hardware: The physical elements of the computer together with the attachment of those device used with the computer.
- Machine: A device used in performing tasking
- Processing: An execution of program in a computer machine.
- Software: Sets of related instruction to perform a specific task.
