7 of the Best Free Linux Calculators

One of the basic utilities supplied with any operating system is a desktop calculator. These are often simple utilities that are perfectly adequate for basic use. They typically include trigonometric functions, logarithms, factorials, parentheses and a memory function.

However, the calculators featured in this article are significantly more sophisticated with the ability to process difficult mathematical functions, to plot graphs in 2D and 3D, and much more.

The calculators also typically support the Reverse Polish notation (RPN). This is a prefix notation wherein every operator follows all of its operands. In other words, instead of pressing 6 + 8 and the enter key, in RPN you type in 6 8 +.

Occasionally, the calculator tool provided with an operating system did not engender any confidence. The classic example being the calculator shipped with Windows 3.1 which could not even reliably subtract two numbers. Rest assured, the calculators listed below are of precision quality.

To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 7 high quality Linux calculator tools. Hopefully, there will be something of interest for anyone who wants more functionality offered by simple calculators such as gcalctool (the default calculator provided with GNOME).

Now, let's explore the 7 calculator tools at hand. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, providing a screenshot of the software in action, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources and reviews.

Return to our complete collection of Group Tests, identifying the finest Linux software.

Last Updated Sunday, February 05 2012 @ 12:57 PM EST