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> Without calculator how would one calculate things in places like Zimbabwe or any Mom-Pop place where there are no computers.

People can calculate things in their heads, have you never bought something where there wasn't a calculator?

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I'm sure people would do that in many cases (counting in their head). But the point is in a shop without a computer, a calculator is de rigueur if it is accessible and affordable; if nothing else than for accounting, stock taking, book keeping etc.

And as mentioned, calculator I have seen being used as a communication mechanism (You ask what's price? Seller taps on the calculator and shoves it under your nose without uttering a single word : 72.50)

Also I feel like most people now own smartphones?

nah, there's no computers or anything in africa :'D

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