SpeedCrunch is an open source, cross platform calculator designed for power users who struggle with formulas like volume of sphere and surface area of a cone. SpeedCrunch’s built in help system containing mathematical formulas, physical constants and functions ensures that you arrive at the correct result each time you hit Enter without having to memorize any 18 digit number.
SpeedCrunch has a Math book with a few basic formulas to calculate volume, area and other dimensions of different 3D and 2D objects. It also has quadratic equation formulas, but Trigonometric formulas are sorely missing. When you click on a formula, it immediately appears on the calculator input box. Now you just have to replace the variables with your figures and press the Enter key.
Similarly, there are lists of various mathematical and physical constants categorized by subject – astronomy, atomic & nuclear, electromagnetic, physico-chemical and general physics.
The built-in functions let you calculate things like average, binomial distribution mean, permutation etc by just keying in the numbers.
But functionality wise, SpeedCrunch is still way behind Windows 7’s calculator. Windows 7’s calculator offers different calculator modes – scientific, programmer, statistics – a flexibility that SpeedCrunch cannot match. The only mode SpeedCrunch has is scientific and even that is limited if you do a key-by-key comparison. For instance, there is no inverse (1/x), x2, x3, ˟√y and a number of other inputs that are frequently required in calculations.
SpeedCrunch’s saving grace are it’s tertiary features like syntax highlighting, auto completion, auto correction, history and session saver.
SpeedCrunch is available for Windows, Mac and all major Linux distributions.
I personally feel this is a great tool to have at hand. Mathematics can be difficult enough at times without trying to remember all the formulas as well. SpeedCrunch also sounds easy to use and will save the user time with just the hit of an enter key. The issue of not having trigonometric formulas is a let down, however is soon rectified with the many more options still available.
The fact that there are lists of various mathematical and physical constants categorized by subject – astronomy, atomic & nuclear, electromagnetic, physico-chemical and general physics; just adds to its success. This makes it easy to find the typical area of mathematics you require. Simple things like finding the average are also so easily forgotten with busy life styles so having the option of just keying in the numbers creates an easy quick option, which is also accurate.
The functionality on the other hand does let this source down. The fact that it is not up to speed with Windows 7’s calculator in terms of modes and only having the option of a scientific mode leaves the source lacking flexibility and could narrow the market interested.
Overall I think this calculator is a great invention but needs updating to keep up with competition and the fast moving times. The product as a whole does lack in certain areas but more than makes up for it with features like auto completion, correction, history and session saver. Being available on a variety of platforms adds to its favour also.