Stock Calculator app does not know basic math

[Gustavo Sanchez]

I am afraid to use the Calculator app for important calculations. It does not follow basic order of operations rules; foe example, something as simple as 2 + 2 x 3. It is supposed to perform the multiplication first (2 x 3), then add 2. The correct answer should be 8. However, the calculator adds 2 + 2 and then multiplies by 3, giving 12 as the (wrong) result. What were the devs thinking?

 

[BeatSync]

Turn the phone to the left, now try again.

This is the expected behavior, try the same on your Windows stock calculator.

 

[Gustavo Sanchez]

It turned to landscape mode, and it computed the result correctly. Then turned it back to portrait and the app crashed twice. The second time it crashed the whole phone. Had to reset the phone. After turning the phone back on, I tried one more time. Landscape mode gives a result of 12 (correct) and portrait mode gives a result of 8. Why on earth the app should behave this way? There is only one correct way to solve 2 + 2 x 3

 

[Zulfigar]

Different calculators for different occasions. I'm glad we have a choice, sorry you're not, but at least your choice is there.

 

[xandros9]

looks like it just solves the things as they come/as they're pressed, but yea, hm.

 

[link68759]

Never noticed that before, odd. I'll blame that on my bad grades in my lab



I noticed that while in portrait, the calculator solves the problems as you go- so when you type 2+2x, it will show 4, but while in landscape it still shows the last number you typed; 2+2x will still show 2.

What's even stranger is that pressing equals at this point will use the number shown, which doesn't make sense to me in any context.

For example, typing in portrait

2+2x=

Will result in 16, because it solves for 2+2=4, and then multiplies by 4...

I'll just be using wolfram alpha or these apps I guess.

http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=85600f70-8929-4166-88da-1d0b49354987
http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=f0b8b820-3f27-4323-aff2-f1e55f0e7657

 

[Gustavo Sanchez]

Wow... What is supposed to be a simple calculator cannot consistently provide simple results. What a shame. And is not a question of having choices, but of getting correct answers or not.

 

[rhapdog]

The landscape calculator goes into "scientific calculator mode", which will use the order of operator precedence correctly.

The portrait calculator is like the standard 4 function calculators on the market, which calculates one operator at a time, period, without waiting for another operator to calculate. This is the behavior of calculators as far back as when the first electronic calculators hit the market. It is only the more advanced calculators that handle the operator precedence.

It does basic math just fine. It's just based on a very simple premise just like every other simple 4 function calculator sold for under $2 is based on.

 

[Microsoftjunkie]

Everything that rhapdog said is correct. ^^

 

[Gustavo Sanchez]

The landscape calculator goes into "scientific calculator mode", which will use the order of operator precedence correctly.

The portrait calculator is like the standard 4 function calculators on the market, which calculates one operator at a time, period, without waiting for another operator to calculate. This is the behavior of calculators as far back as when the first electronic calculators hit the market. It is only the more advanced calculators that handle the operator precedence.

It does basic math just fine. It's just based on a very simple premise just like every other simple 4 function calculator sold for under $2 is based on.

Thanks for the clarification. Did not know it was that way. However, I still think it is poorly implemented. As you mention, a $2 device would do it that way, but you expect a smartphone to function a bit smarter, don't you think?

 

[rhapdog]

Thanks for the clarification. Did not know it was that way. However, I still think it is poorly implemented. As you mention, a $2 device would do it that way, but you expect a smartphone to function a bit smarter, don't you think?

Not if you're using it as the $2 calculator.

Just flip it if you need that functionality, or download a calculator app that you like.

 

[BeatSync]

Like I said, open up the stock Windows calculator and try