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This open source calculator has a great design and lets you program in Python: this is NumWorks 13 comments

  • December 26, 2022
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Although smartphones rule the world, graphing calculators still exist. And not only that, it is widely used by students everywhere, especially when it comes to taking certain exams

Although smartphones rule the world, graphing calculators still exist. And not only that, it is widely used by students everywhere, especially when it comes to taking certain exams where the use of other device types is not allowed.

Manufacturers like Casio and Texas Instruments are the kings of this mathematical universe with their traditional graphing calculators and more advanced models, but they are not the only ones. NumWorks was born as a calculator. modern design, lots of features and even Python support.

NumWorks, a calculator with Python

Python is one of the most popular programming languages ​​in the industry and is widely used to stimulate students’ creativity and help introduce them to the world of mathematics. What if we could use them directly in the calculator we use every day? This recommends NumWorks.

Has a graphing calculator MicroPython 1.12 built-inIt is a Python 3 application designed to run on small, uncomplicated devices. Students not only use canned scripts, but also can create charts and extend NumWorks’ capabilities using code.


This new calculator also has many other functions that you would expect from a device called a “calculator”. Its creators promise that you can work with fractions, roots, parametric, polar and Cartesian functions, perform probability calculations, equations and more.

Perhaps one of the highlights of the NumWorks calculator is its graphical interface and design. Unlike many current models, which, despite having many features, inherit graphics and lines from the past, this offer Has a much more up-to-date look.


Inside is a 216 MHz Cortex-M chip. till The case, which stands out with its light colors and has a cover attached to the back, weighs 170 grams and is battery operated. One charge promises 20 hours of use. The keyboard is divided into three thematic zones. Price? It’s $99 in the United States and the manufacturer promises to ship to Europe.

A project that changes along the way

Originally, NumWorks was born as an open source calculator. The idea was to provide the details of the hardware and software to the community. Even if anyone with the necessary resources could build their own calculator, or adapt existing documents for your own project.

Most of this essence remains in place, but some things have changed. Last year the manufacturer restricted the project from opening so that the device could remain safe for exams (Texas Instruments restricted the calculators’ capabilities a few years ago for the same reason).

Installation of custom software is currently allowed, but can no longer access all the hardware of the device, which limits its functionality. Additionally, the license has been changed to prevent redistribution of the original NumWorks software.

However, it is still possible to access the hardware documentation to learn how the device was designed and explore its electronics schematics. At the software level, it is also possible to edit the Epsilon software to create a customized version, but for purely licensing reasons it is for use within NumWorks hardware only.

Source: Xataka

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