Is it okay to use calculator?

I am so habituated to calculator, that I use it for even basic calculation like multiplying small numbers. Is it bad?

#Advice #Math #Opinions

This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.

When posting on Brilliant:

Use the emojis to react to an explanation, whether you're congratulating a job well done , or just really confused .
Ask specific questions about the challenge or the steps in somebody's explanation. Well-posed questions can add a lot to the discussion, but posting "I don't understand!" doesn't help anyone.
Try to contribute something new to the discussion, whether it is an extension, generalization or other idea related to the challenge.
Stay on topic — we're all here to learn more about math and science, not to hear about your favorite get-rich-quick scheme or current world events.

Markdown	Appears as
`italics` or `_italics_`	italics
`bold` or `__bold__`	bold
- bulleted - list	bulleted list
1. numbered 2. list	numbered list
Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly
paragraph 1 paragraph 2	paragraph 1 paragraph 2
`[example link](https://brilliant.org)`	example link
`> This is a quote`	This is a quote
# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"	# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `$` ... `$` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

None of the problems require the use of a calculator even when I'm creating them, and so you certainly do not need a calculator to solve them.

As long as you're doing calculations that you would otherwise be able to do on your own, I'd be willing to overlook calculator usage. However, if you're using it to do something that you do not understand, then it's safe to say that you're not understanding the problem itself.

If you have such an over reliance on calculators that you normally make careless mistakes on basic arithmetic, that's a concern outside of solving problems on Brilliant. I would consider a lack of basic arithmetic literacy bad.

Calvin Lin Staff - 8 years, 4 months ago

I use it for 2 types - 1) That I can solve in mind or on paper easily. 2) Finding sine or log

Vinayak Garg - 8 years, 4 months ago

The same comment applies. If you think that you need to know what $\sin 12.3456^\circ$ or $\log \pi$ is, you're most probably doing it wrong. There is no need to use a calculator (unless you're lazy with basic arithmetic, which at times I am).

Calvin Lin Staff - 8 years, 4 months ago

Absolutely agree with you, master. I think, if I use it frequently it will change our mind, I mean our habits,,

Andrias Meisyal - 8 years, 4 months ago

Some really complex problems that require the use of a calculator have to be answered with the use of one. However, I would advice you to not use a calculator for small calculations. Moreover, there are some exercises that can be opted to improve your mental mathematical skills.

Abdullah Iftikhar - 8 years, 4 months ago

Would you please tell some sites or blogs or anything that would help me to overcome such sickness ?

jitesh dalwala - 7 years, 1 month ago

using a scientific calculator is recommended in solving physics problems.

Ramon Vicente Marquez - 8 years, 4 months ago

post this up.

rosie carta - 2 years, 4 months ago

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$