Avoid These Common Calculator Errors

Even a simple calculator can trip you up if you’re not careful. Here’s how to dodge the big errors. First, not clearing: hit “C” before every new problem—leftover 10 from last time turns 5 + 3 into 18, not 8. Second, order mix-ups: for 5 + 2 × 4, multiply first (2 × 4 = 8), then add (5 + 8 = 13)—not 5 + 2 then × 4 (28). Third, typos: punching 19 instead of 9 turns 9 × 2 into 38, not 18—slow down on entry. Fourth, premature “equals”: in 12 - 5 + 3, don’t hit “=” after 5—chain it to 10, not 2. Fifth, dividing by zero—don’t try 10 ÷ 0; it’s a math dead end. Test it: 6 × 3 - 4 should be 14 (18 - 4), not 8. Real-world traps? Adding $5 + $3 with a stale 50 in memory gives $58—clear it. Or rushing 20 - 8 + 2 and hitting “=” early (12, not 14). Practice spotting these: redo odd results, estimate first (6 × 3 ≈ 18). Our online four-function tool’s free—use it and sidestep errors now!