Did you know that the lowly, everyday, bump-on-the log Calculator application built into OS X actually has some nifty features beyond doing math?
I’m referring to the plain grey calculator found in the Applications folder of every version of OS X since 2002. First, did you know that Calculator keeps as a record of recent calculations that you can review and print? To see this record after performing calculations, click Window > Paper Tape.
To print the paper tape, hold down the Command key (to the right or left of the space bar) and the P key at the same time, or else navigate to File > Print Tape. Note the Paper Tape has to be visible before you can do this. You can also save your paper tapes by selecting File > Save Tape.
You can reveal scientific calculator features in Calculator by launching the Calculator app (again, stored in your Applications folder), and then clicking View > Scientific in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Later versions of Calculator also have a Programmer feature hidden here.
OK, a scientific calculator is a little boring. So here’s something fun: with the Calculator app launched and active, navigate to the menu bar and click “Speak button pushed” or “Speak result.” Unless you’re visually impaired, having a speaking calculator might seem like a gimmick. But I actually use this feature when I’m trying to move through a pile of calculations as quickly as possible. Try it—if you’re a verbally-oriented person, you might be surprised at how hearing a number instead of reading it helps your efficiency.
Finally, the Calculator app also has very useful conversions functions built in. These include Area, Currency (data pulled from the Internet), Energy or Work, Temperature, Length, Speed, Pressure, Weight/Mass, Power and Volume.
So don’t disregard this math nerd just because it seems boring. Take it out and see what it can do! If nothing else, it can help convert from miles to kilometers.