Articles of

Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol. 1 (2020)

How to Solve an Interpolation Using Calculator

Zuraira Libasin and Norazah Umar

[email protected], [email protected]

Jabatan Sains Komputer & Matematik (JSKM), Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pulau
Pinang, Malaysia

Linear Interpolation

Let us say that we have two known points 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ⁡⁡and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 . Now we want to estimate
what y value we would get for some x value that is between x1 and x2. Call this y value estimate
as an interpolated value. A simple traditional method to find the y value is by drawing a straight
line between 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ⁡⁡and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 . We look to see y value on the line for our chosen x. This is
called linear interpolation (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Linear Interpolation. Figure adapted from https://matthew-

brett.github.io/teaching/linear_interpolation - Retrieved 5/3/2020

As time goes by, the scientific calculator is another tool to solve the interpolation. One
of the advantages of using this tool is it can make potentially lengthy calculations much shorter
and time wisely. Nowadays, there are so many scientific calculators you can find out there.

123
 Articles of
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol. 1 (2020)

According to the article written by LaToya Irby (2020), there are 8 best scientific calculators
were selected in the year 2020. These scientific calculators have their own strength for solving
maths, science, and engineering problem. Table 1 shows this type of scientific calculators.

Table 1: Type of Scientific Calculator.

Scientific Description
Calculator Model

Texas Instruments The TI-36X can be used in high school and college for algebra, geometry,
TI-36X Pro trigonometry, statistics, calculus, and biology

Casio FX-115ES Calculator is great for high school and college students in general math,
Plus algebra, statistics, trigonometry, calculus, engineering, and physics.

Texas Instruments The calculator is ideal for general math, pre-algebra, algebra 1 and 2,
TI-30X IIS 2-Line geometry, statistics, and general science.

Casio FX-300MS Allows you to enter fractions, figure out standard deviations, calculate sine,
cosine, tangent, and inverse, and many more mathematical functions.

Casio FX-260 Suitable for middle school and early high school math.

HP 35s Great option for engineers, surveyors, scientists, medical professionals, and
college students.

Texas Instruments Enter and view expressions using common math notation — exactly the way
TI-30XS MultiView expressions appear in the textbook — for easier understanding.

Sharp Calculators The calculator can handle 640 different functions including trig functions,
EL-W516TBSL logarithms, reciprocals, powers, and more.

Casio fx-570EX ClassWiz contains calculation functions that support mathematical

(CLASSWIZ) operations, including spreadsheet calculations, 4 × 4 matrix calculations,
simultaneous equations with four unknowns. It also generates QR codes of
equations input into the calculator by a simple operation. Graphs and other
graphics can be displayed on smartphone or tablet screens.

https://www.thoughtco.com/best-scientific-calculators-4178005

124
 Articles of
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol. 1 (2020)

Casio FX991, Casio FX991ES & Casio fx-570EX (CLASSWIZ)

In this article, we use the scientific calculator model Casio FX991 , Casio FX991ES and
Casio fx-570EX (CLASSWIZ) to show the steps on how to solve the interpolation problem.
The first two models are commonly used by the students in UiTM Penang and recently the
third model has been widely introduced to them.

The guidance about the calculator

Problem: For z of 1.64 the probability is 0.9495 and for z of 1.65, the probability is
0.9505. This implies the probability of the z of 1.645 lies somewhere between 0.9495 and
0.9505. Refer Figure 2. The ratio of the short line to the long line is the same for the z-value
and the corresponding probabilities. The x represents the unknown probability we would like
to determine.

Figure 2: Interpolation Process. Figure adapted from https://accendoreliability.com/interpolation-

within-distribution-tables/ - Retrieved 10/3/2020

Model Steps

1. Calculator must be in mode Regression. Press MODE and

choose REG by pressing the button number 2.

2. Then choose LIN by pressing the button 1.

3. Enter the first two values: 1.64 , 0.9495 . Then press the button
M+. You can see n=1 on the screen. It shows that this is the first
two values in the interpolation being store in the calculator.

Casio FX991

125
 Articles of
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol. 1 (2020)

4. Next, enter another two values: 1.65 , 0.9505 . Then press the
button M+. You can see n=2 on the screen. It shows that this is
another two values in the interpolation that are in the calculator.
5. To find x, enter 1.645, then press the button SHIFT and 2. The
screen will show as below:

Then, move to the right until you can find the this symbol

Hence, press button 2 and press the button = . Finally you got
the answer.

1. Press MODE and choose STAT by pressing the button number

3.

Casio

FX991ES 2. Then choose A+BX by pressing the button number 2

126
 Articles of
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol. 1 (2020)

3. The screen will appear like this

4. Key-in all the values.

X Y

1 1.64 0.9495

2 1.65 0.9505

Then, press the button AC

5. Enter the value 1.645, and then press SHIFT followed by

pressing the button 1. The screen will appear like this

Choose REG

127
 Articles of
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol. 1 (2020)

6. Hence, choose the symbol number 5

by pressing the button number 5.

7. Finally, press the button = and you got the answer.

1. Press MENU and choose Statistics by pressing button number

6.

Casio fx-

570EX
2. Then choose y-a+bx by pressing the button number 2
(CLASSWIZ)

3. The screen will appear like this.

128
 Articles of
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol. 1 (2020)

4. Key-in all the values.

X Y

1 1.64 0.9495

2 1.65 0.9505

Then, press the button AC

5. Press OPTN, scroll down and choose number 4 for regression

then choose number 5 for ŷ .

6. Enter the value 1.645 right before ŷ , and then press =.

The answer will appear on the screen .

129
 Articles of
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol. 1 (2020)

References:

LaToya Irby. 2020. “The Best Scientific Calculators”. In https://www.thoughtco.com/best-scientific-

calculators-4178005 - Retrieved 5/3/2020

https://matthew-brett.github.io/teaching/linear_interpolation - Retrieved 5/3/2020

https://accendoreliability.com/interpolation-within-distribution-tables/ - Retrieved 9/3/2020

130