Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Panther Edition

Calculator

Over the years, just about every Mac program and feature evolved, matured, and grew. For 17 years, however, one program chugged along, essentially untouched: the simple, four-function Calculator. As late as 2002, this Calculator still lacked memory keys, a percentage key, or a CE (clear entry) key, let alone any advanced functions. By the time Mac OS X came along, it was the very last piece of original Mac OS software still standing.

That relic is finally gone. The new Calculator is far more potent than the humble fourfunction program that preceded it. It can act as a scientific calculator for students and scientists, a conversion calculator for metric and U.S. measures, and even a currency calculator for world travelers.

Here’s everything you need to know for basic math:

• The calculator has two modes: Basic and Advanced (see Figure 9-1). Switch between them by choosing the appropriate command from the View menu (or pressing -1 for Basic, -2 for Advanced).

• You can operate the calculator by clicking the onscreen buttons, but it’s much easier to press the corresponding number and symbol keys on your keyboard.

Tip

If you have a Mac laptop, don’t miss the embedded numeric keypad, superimposed on the right side of the keyboard and labeled on the keys in a different color ink. When you ...