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Cambridge O Level Maths Your notes

Using a Calculator
Contents
Using a Calculator

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Using a Calculator
Your notes
Using a Calculator
Why the fuss about using a calculator?
GCSE Mathematics goes beyond using the basic features of a calculator and explores many of the
special functions of a scientific calculator
It is important to get to know your calculator, the earlier you get one and learn about the scientific
functions the better you will be at using them
It’s not just maths that uses these, some of the scientific functions can be used in science exams too

What do I need to know?

The notes below apply to most if not all scientific calculators but the images are based on the Casio fx-
83GTX
The Casio fx-85GTX is the same model but also has solar power. Both are labelled “Classwiz” too but be
careful here at there is a more advanced “Classwiz” calculator that is used at A level (fx-991EX)

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The Casio fx-83GTX Classwiz

Your notes
Be aware if you have an old or very basic scientific calculator that they may work backwards
For example, if you wanted to find sin (57) you would type 57 then press the sin button
Modern calculators tend to work in the order in which we write things

1. Mode/setup
Make sure you know how to change the mode of your calculator, especially if someone else has used it
The “Angle Unit” needs to be degrees – normally indicated by a “D” symbol across the top of the
display
Make sure you can switch between “exact” answers (fractions, surds, in terms of π, etc) and
“approximate” answers (decimals)
Most calculators default to “Math” mode with the word Math written across the top of the display or
using a symbol
When in “Math” mode you can switch whatever is on the answer line between exact and decimals by
pressing the “S-D” button

2. Templates
These are largely the shortcut buttons – the fraction button, the square, cube and power buttons,
square roots
You can also use SHIFT and these buttons to access functions including mixed numbers, cube roots,
and nth roots

Calculator shortcut buttons

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3. Trigonometry (sin/cos/tan)
Remember to use SHIFT (sometimes called 2nd or INV button) when finding angles Your notes
When using these buttons you will find that before you type the angle the calculator automatically
gives you an open bracket "(". You should get into the habit of making sure you use a closed bracket ")"
after typing the angle in
This is very important if there is something else to type in that comes after sin/cos/tan

4. Standard Form and π

Find the ×10x button and know how to use it
Modern calculators display standard form in the way it is written
Older models may use a small capital letter "E" in place of ×10x on the display line
π is often near or under SHIFT with the standard form button

5. Memory
The ANS (answer) button is very useful – especially when working with decimals in the middle of
solutions that you should avoid rounding until your final answer
ANS recalls the last answer the calculator calculated
6.Table
If your calculator has a table function or mode, use it
This can be extremely useful in those “complete the table of values and draw the graph” type questions
7. Brackets and negative numbers
Use as you would in written mathematics
Remember to use the (-) button for a negative number, not the subtract button
8. Judgement and special features
The rule of thumb is to use your calculator to do one calculation at a time
However, you can also make a judgement call on this as to how many marks are available in the question
and whether a question asks you to “write down all the digits on your calculator display”
You are better off writing too much down than not enough!

9. Practise!
This is a long list but we will finish by going back to the start – there is nothing better you can do than
getting a calculator early and learning how to use it by practising the varying types of questions you are
likely to come across

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Examiner Tip
Your notes
Always put negative numbers in brackets. For a quick example, try using your calculator to work
out -32 and then (-3)2.In working out always write down more digits than the final answer requires
and don’t round them (write something like 9.3564… using the three dots shows you haven’t
rounded). Use the ANS button when you next need that number on your calculator.

Worked example
Use your calculator to work out

4 . 69
0 . 343 + sin( 45°)
Give your answer as a decimal.
Write down all the figures on your calculator display.
It is best to type the whole thing into your calculator in one go using the fraction, square root, cube and
sin buttons.
Make sure to press the fraction button first as use the arrow keys to navigate around.
Remember to close the bracket after sin(45 and check that your calculator is in degree mode.
Check that what is shown on your calculator screen looks exactly the same as the question.
Write down all of the digits shown on your calculator display.
2.901406085

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Worked example
Your notes
p+q
a5 =
p 2q
Find the value of a when p = 1.2 × 10-4 and q = 7.83 × 105.
Give your answer to 3 decimal places.
Before doing any work on your calculator, rearrange the equation to make a the subject.

Show your working by writing down what you plan to type into your calculator.
It is a good idea to use brackets around each bit of standard form.

Type everything into the calculator in one go, starting with the button and inserting the fraction
inside. Remember to close all the brackets and double check that what is showing on your calculator
screen looks the same as what you've written down.
Write down more than 3 decimal places before rounding.

Round to 3 decimal places.

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