Math is widely regarded as exceptionally important and educational, though it’s not always everyone’s favorite subject. In fact, it seems almost cruel that so many students aren’t permitted to use calculators half their educational math careers and then suddenly can use them for everything math related. While a basic calculator will work just fine for most students, those working on special projects or advanced degrees – or those already well into careers that involve a lot of calculation – a more luxe calculator is needed. Here are the five most expensive calculators in the world; and they can do it all.
HP 19BII Financial Calculator – $299
This calculator was introduced in 1990 by HP. It’s designed as a scientific calculator with simplified functions. It has the ability to calculate up to 450 different functions. It can be used for business, statistical problems and basic functions.
HP 32Sii Scientific Calculator – $700
This calculator was discontinued in 2002, but it has more functions and abilities than most other. This one can be used to calculated trigonometry, stats, probability and so much more. The $700 price tag comes from listings on Amazon, which is one of the only places this calculator is available today.
Wolfram Mathematica 9 – $2500
This calculator is expensive because it offers more functions than your everyday calculator. This one has the ability to actually download software onto your computer so you can use it as a standalone calc or a desktop calc. This calculator is best for engineering and graphing calculations, but it does offer some basic configurations as well.
HP 9100A – $4900
This is the first desktop calculator ever produced by HP, and it was just as expensive in the late 60s as it is today. This programmable calculator offers some pretty basic functions and some much more advanced functions that allow you to perform more in depth calculations. It’s got a reputation as one of the best early scientific calculators in the world.
Grillet Portable Calculator – $155,000
Made of wood, this is the world’s first portable calc. It was created sometime in the 17th century. It’s the most expensive calculator in the world because of its antiquity. It’s not a calculator one would actually use to help with math homework, but to collect instead.
(Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for HP)
