Programmable Pocket Calculator vs. Computer: A Comparison of Relative Efficiency for Small Jobs in the Soil Characterization Laboratory

Abstract

AbstractA time and cost comparison was made for three methods of performing computations for pipette particle size distribution, clod bulk density, Atterberg limits, and potential volume change (FHA‐PVC Meter). The programmable calculator was more efficient than either a nonprogrammable calculator or a computer using Fortran with card input. The nonprogrammable calculator costs were 1.6 to 5.3 times those using the programmable machine. The computer costs were 2.8 to 10.4 times those of the programmable calculator. In this particular lab, $200 per year was saved using a programmable calculator on these four analyses alone.