Sharp EL-531VB Calculator

It's hard to imagine a more capable scientific calculator than Sharp's EL-531VB in this price range. For the money, this device is absurdly powerful, especially because it features a two-line display that lets users see how their equations are shaping up on one line as they enter data in the second line.

The two-line display affords a freedom that single-line screens simply can't offer, like the ability to use the EL-531VB's arrow keys to move to any point of the equation you've entered and edit it before calculating the final results. This feature was found only in the most expensive calculators just a few years ago, and it really makes this device easy to use for people of all ages. Another nice touch is the Direct Algebraic Logic entry method, which lets users enter equations exactly as they are printed on a blackboard or in a textbook. Output is purely digital--the calculator can't solve abstract algebra problems and display the results in terms of x and y (or in any other alphanumeric terms)--and the calculator can't produce graphs, but it's excellent for number-crunching and checking work for students who understand the fundamentals of problems they are working on.

Thanks to the use of a shift key, the calculator has 183 functions, including the ability to perform statistical calculations. It also has an extremely clever integrated case cover that slides up and folds flush with the back of the unit without ever being removed from the calculator (meaning it can never be lost). The high-contrast design makes the buttons' notations easy to read, including the shift functions that are listed above each key. --T. Byrl Baker

This review was originally written for model EL-531RB.

For students in any field, but especially in math and the sciences,Sharp's EL-531VB offers direct algebraic logic, allowing students toenter the elements of an equation as they appear in the textbook. Theextra-large, readable alpha-numeric display shows one line of equationplus one line of numeric results in 10 bright characters.

The EL-531VB has analysis functions using the computer algebra system,programming and statistics functions, and basic math--a total of 183functions. Other features include continuous calculation and Sin45+Cos15,and Multiline "Playback" that permits you to get an answer to yourequation then "play back" the expressions and substitute new numeric values.

The EL-531VB, a thin version of the popular EL-509RHB, runs on two LR44batteries and is protected by its hard case.

1 Almost the best calculator ever!
I have been using a version of this Sharp calculator from early high school all the way up thru a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and now as a professional - it rocks! For science/engineering students, there is none better. It is simple and will do everything you need (almost - see below). Forget about those cumbersome, expensive graphing calculators. Save some money and buy one of these bad boys instead. Graphing calculators are a waste of time - learn how to do it on paper. This calculator deserves 5 stars, but I can only give it 4 because they took away the conversion functions for hexadecimal, octal, and binary numbers - essential for computer science & electrical engineering students. What the heck! Where can I still buy the EL-506? Mine finally broke...