How To Make a Simple Addition Calculator
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How To Make a Calculator by Ace
The task of creating a calculator may be daunting to some, allow me to simplify it.
BASE1 to BASE2
Trying to add 10 to 10 using a electronical device would be ridiculous. Try 1010b to 1010b, presuming you know how to use binary, this should be easier. If not, no sweat. Binary or BASE2 numbers is the system of using only two numbers (one and zero) to count e.g. 1, 10, 11, 100, 101..... Basicly, a BASE2 to BASE10 converter is a net of wires crossing over each other, one set of which are the output (binary) and one set is the input (decimal). Although the two sets do not conduct to each other, there are links. Therefore by putting power into the wire marking the number 10, it sends current to the set of wires marking 1010.
ALU (arithmetic logic unit)
The ALU or arithmetic loading unit, is the brain of the calculator. Now that we have the raw binary, we may calculate. In binary, seeing as we've gotten rid of the numbers 2-9; we don't have to figure out things like 1+1=2, 2+2=4, 3+3=6....., we have replaced all that with 1+0=1, 1+1=10. This can be calculated using simple logic gates. Or if you like you may choose to use an ALU that has been made by other people, just give credit.
BASE2 to BASE10
Without help, this may be the most puzzling part of the calculator. First we must learn.....
MATH :O
NOOOOOOOOOO
Or just skip to the next paragraph if you please, this will help though.
The math
To save me the trouble of having to explain read this. So each step of the way the number doubles, so what we have to do is make is the ouput from the ALU change the path of a spark so that each level it goes down it the effect of the previous doubles.
The easy explanation
What we need to do is alter the path of a spark so that the output of the ALU changes it to make it go to a destination unique so that it will only go down that path if the path is sparked.
The display converter
Before the answer reaches the screen, it has to be converted so that it lights up the correct digits. This can be done with an apparatus similar to the one used as the BASE2 to BASE10 converted, but instead it converts the input to the correct digits to light.
Useful creations305891View Save 3058912333View Save 23334399View Save 4399349818View Save 349818381416View Save 381416383197View Save 383197383169View Save 383169242093View Save 242093
Feel free to post your calculator or calculator parts here (whether based on this tutorial or not).Edited by Ace, 2011-06-13 02:05:12 -
You have made some of it too complex.
If someone doesn't know how they might make a calculator, then some of your instructions may be slightly too complicated. ALU's are too complex for a simple calculator... I have made an ALU, but it need constant input to work... that sometimes make the calculator less appealing.
Take mine for example...242093View Save 242093
It is as simple as decimal-binary, then adding the binary, then binary-decimal.
But I applaud you for doing this as it can be a huge help for many people to have a guide. -
I didn't even notice that.
@Ace (View Post)
An ALU is considered a "logic" gate.
Calculators don't necessarily need to use/calculate binary... e.g.227857View Save 227857
This one uses the principle of AND gates.222280View Save 222280
This one definitely uses AND gates
These are not calculating because the values are predetermined, but even though they don't calculate, they are still calculators... in some strange way. -
The decimal to binary and visa-versa things you showed are all actually predefined. There are very few creations that actually work out what it is. Most of the time in TPT it's not practical to work out the number system changes as the formulas for working them out are often quite computationally difficult so there is not much point unless you happen to be dealing with huge numbers. btw, nice tutorial, I wish I had something like this when I made my first calculator. It was a horrible pile of junk though it worked and it did you my own method of adding
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Ace:
1+0=1.1+1=10 This can be calculated using simple logic gates..
I prefer SUMMAR operating.
so i use MASSIVE "logic gate" called binary adder
It could be built using AND/OR/NOT/XOR/NOR/NAND/XNOR but i made it easier:383169View Save 383169
P.S. adder can also - and * if needed
P.P.S It can - therefore it can also / and % -
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This is an example of a binary adder:381416View Save 381416
