1. What Does AC Mean on a Calculator?

AC stands for "All Clear" on a calculator. It completely resets the calculator to its initial state, clearing all current calculations, memory, and any stored values.

2. Difference Between AC and C

AC (All Clear): Completely resets the calculator, including memory registers and any ongoing calculations.

C (Clear): Typically only clears the current entry or the last operation, while maintaining memory and some calculation state.

3. When to Use AC

Use AC when:

• Starting a completely new calculation
• Wanting to ensure no values are carried over from previous calculations
• The calculator is behaving unexpectedly
• You need to clear memory registers

4. Calculator Memory Considerations

Important: On many calculators, AC will clear:

• Current display value
• Any pending operations
• Memory registers (M+, M-, MR, etc.)
• Calculation history

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does AC clear the memory on all calculators?
A: Most standard calculators will clear memory with AC, but some scientific/graphing calculators may have separate memory clear functions.

Q2: Why do some calculators only have C and not AC?
A: Simpler calculators often combine both functions into a single C button that behaves differently depending on context.

Q3: Does AC reset calculator settings?
A: On basic calculators, yes. On advanced calculators, it typically doesn't reset modes or settings.

Q4: Is there a keyboard equivalent to AC?
A: The Escape (Esc) key often functions like AC in calculator software.

Q5: Should I use AC between calculations?
A: It's good practice to use AC when starting completely new, unrelated calculations to ensure no values carry over.