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I'm sure there's an obvious answer to this...

In Windows 10 calculator, the standard mode has a reciprocal (1/x) button, but scientific mode does not. However, it's not possible to switch back to standard mode to perform a reciprocal operation because this clears the current value.

I realize I could use the memory, but surely there is an easier way?

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2
  • Strange, I can see 1/x button in both modes.
    – user364455
    Commented May 23, 2016 at 21:39
  • @PetSerAl that's because your window is big. Try resizing the calculator to make it smaller and then it'll automatically rearrange the buttons
    – phuclv
    Commented Mar 24, 2019 at 9:58

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
15

The Windows 10 calculator changes slightly depending on the size of the window. You've probably got it a little bit on the small side, so, in order to access the reciprocal button, you need to use the shift button:

Windows 10 Calculator

You'll notice when you click the shift button, you'll see a new set of functions. Alternatively, you can just make the window taller and they will all appear.

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  • 6
    Thanks I never noticed the shift button - on my PC it's the same color as all the others. I couldn't get all the buttons to show by making it taller (maybe my monitor isn't high enough) but I could by making it wider. I've no idea why they made the buttons so big though - the window has to nearly fill the screen before all the buttons appear.
    – Andy
    Commented May 24, 2016 at 20:05
  • @Andy yes I agree the behavior is pretty unintuitive, and my button is only colored differently because I took the screenshot with the button pressed, it is usually black as well making it very difficult to find.
    – heavyd
    Commented May 24, 2016 at 20:41
  • Wow, this is very poor UI design. Unbelievable, coming from Microsoft. I just went full screen with the calculator and saw tons of new buttons.
    – Christian Shay
    Commented Mar 11, 2017 at 23:06
  • @Andy I suspect the buttons are this big because all the new Windows 10 UI is intended to be touch-friendly (with no exceptions made for devices that don't even have a touchscreen).
    – peterflynn
    Commented Jul 17, 2017 at 21:10
7

The standard mode has a reciprocal (1/x) button, but scientific mode does not

The Windows 10 calculator has some shortcuts you can use.

One of them is:

R - Select 1/x (Reciprocal).

Source Useful Calculator keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10

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