Postfix notation, also known as Reverse Polish Notation (RPN), is a mathematical notation where operators follow their operands. For instance, the expression “2 + 3” would be written “2 3 +” in RPN. Online calculators employing this notation provide a method for evaluating mathematical expressions without the need for parentheses or operator precedence rules. A user might input “5 1 2 + 4 + 3 -” to calculate 5 + ((1 + 2) 4) – 3.
This approach simplifies computation, making it particularly efficient for computer systems and stack-based architectures. Historically, RPN found widespread use in early calculators and some programming languages due to its reduced memory requirements and streamlined execution. Its inherent clarity regarding the order of operations also benefits users working with complex calculations.
