What Does Ce on Calculator Mean

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Reviewed and Fact-Checked by: David Chen, CFA

While “CE” (Clear Entry) is a basic calculator function, this specialized tool helps you solve for any missing variable in a Future Value calculation, allowing you to effectively “clear” an unknown and solve for it quickly.

Future Value Calculator (Solve for CE)

The missing value is:

$0.00

Future Value (FV) Formula

The core relationship between the four variables is defined by the compound interest formula:

$$FV = PV \times (1 + r)^n$$

Formula Source: Investopedia

Variables Explained

  • PV: Present Value (The initial investment or principal amount).
  • FV: Future Value (The value of the investment at a specified future date).
  • r: Annual Interest Rate (The rate of return per period, entered as a percentage).
  • n: Number of Periods (The total number of compounding periods, usually in years).

What does ‘CE’ on a Calculator Mean?

The acronym “CE” stands for Clear Entry. Unlike the “C” (Clear) or “AC” (All Clear) button which wipes the entire calculation, the “CE” button is designed to only erase the *last* number or operation entered into the calculator. This is extremely useful for correcting a typo in a long sequence of inputs without having to restart the entire calculation from scratch.

In advanced solvers like the one above, the concept of “Clear Entry” is extended: you are effectively clearing the *unknown* variable and asking the calculator to solve for it based on the three variables you have entered. The ability to input three and solve for the fourth makes this tool function as a “Clear Entry” solver for financial unknowns.

How to Calculate a Missing Rate (Example)

Suppose you invested $500 (PV) and received $650 (FV) after 5 years (n). You want to find the annual rate (r).

  1. Identify the known variables: $PV = 500$, $FV = 650$, $n = 5$.
  2. The formula to solve for the rate is: $$r = \left(\frac{FV}{PV}\right)^{1/n} – 1$$
  3. Substitute the values: $$r = \left(\frac{650}{500}\right)^{1/5} – 1$$
  4. Calculate the ratio: $650 / 500 = 1.3$.
  5. Take the fifth root of 1.3: $(1.3)^{0.2} \approx 1.05387$.
  6. Subtract 1: $1.05387 – 1 = 0.05387$.
  7. The annual rate is 5.39%.

Related Calculators

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between CE and C?

The “C” button stands for Clear (or All Clear, ‘AC’) and typically wipes all memory and the current calculation. The “CE” button (Clear Entry) only removes the most recently entered number, keeping the rest of the operation intact.

Is CE the same as the backspace key?

Not exactly. Backspace usually deletes the last digit you typed. CE deletes the entire number you are currently entering, which is more effective for fixing a complete input error.

Why do some scientific calculators not have a CE button?

Advanced scientific or graphing calculators often rely on full formula input where users can navigate and edit numbers directly, making a dedicated ‘Clear Entry’ button less necessary.

What if I input all four values into the calculator?

If you enter all four (PV, FV, Rate, and Periods), the calculator will check if the values are mathematically consistent based on the Future Value formula and report the consistency error or success.

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