An XCas question....

[DrD]

There are lots of examples in which that point can be made, for sure. Things like SEC, CSC, COT, (and their inverses), aren't really necessary. There are plenty of other unneeded features. No need for radicals, use fractional powers. No need for the template key, or LOG/10^X. After the four basic functions, add, subtract, multiply and divide, perhaps a memory, what else is really needed? In fact, there isn't any need for a calculator at all. Especially in a math classroom. Completely unnecessary is a programming language that uses all this unnecessary math! ...

One reason to walk back up the evolutionary tree, is utility value. I was happy to pay for the convenience of the hp prime, and if a better one comes along, I'm interested.