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Math Calculations Review Fall 2024

This document is a math and calculator review worksheet aimed at refreshing basic math and algebra skills necessary for success in a science class. It emphasizes the importance of correctly using a scientific calculator, detailing specific functions and keys that students need to master. Additionally, it provides guidance on entering calculations accurately to avoid common mistakes, especially in multiplication and division.

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Jai Calatrava
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10 views4 pages

Math Calculations Review Fall 2024

This document is a math and calculator review worksheet aimed at refreshing basic math and algebra skills necessary for success in a science class. It emphasizes the importance of correctly using a scientific calculator, detailing specific functions and keys that students need to master. Additionally, it provides guidance on entering calculations accurately to avoid common mistakes, especially in multiplication and division.

Uploaded by

Jai Calatrava
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Math and Calculator Review

You will not survive this unless your math skills are up to snuff. The purpose of this worksheet is to refresh your basic math
and algebra skills. Do not rush through it. You may work together, but do not give away or accept answers. You should all be
absolutely certain that you can do these problems. You also need to practice using your calculators correctly.

Calculator:
You MUST be able to properly use your calculator in order to be successful in a science class. Your scientific calculator is
more than adequate for the arithmetic you will need to do, assuming you know how to use it. In addition to the 4 standard functions
(+, –, /, x) there are several functions with which you might not be as familiar. For this course, you will need to be able to use your
scientific notation key, exponent key, log and inverse log keys (both natural and base–10), and your sign–change key (±). There are
TONS of other keys on your calculator, some of which may or may not be useful, but those listed above are required.

Please find the following keys on your calculators, describe where they are on your calculator, what they look like, and then
answer the questions:

Example:

: It’s above the 3rd key (x2) in 2nd full row from the top and looks like . It is a 2nd function.

Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:

16

–8.5

Sign–change (±):

Scientific notation:

Which key you have: ____________ Do you need to hit “2nd” or “shift” to use it? YES / NO

Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:
Exponent:

Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:

223

Logarithm (log):

Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:

log 723

Inverse logarithm (10x):

Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:

103.91

negative inverse log of 11.71


10–7.84
Natural log (ln):

Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:

ln 723

ln 2.671x10–4

–ln 1.8x10–5

Inverse natural log (e):

Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:

e3.91

e –7.84
Entering Calculations in your Calculator:
As simple as it might seem to enter calculations into your calculator, there are several easy mistakes that can lead to incorrect
answers. The most common of these mistakes involves entering multiplication and division. One of the methods of problem solving
that we are going to focus on this semester is called dimensional analysis, which involves setting up successive ratios in a line and
then entering values into your calculator . A typical set–up might look like this:

There are several right and wrong ways to put this into your calculator. The easiest way is to use the key if the value that you are
entering is on the TOP of the fraction line and use the key if the value that you are entering is on the BOTTOM of the fraction
line. Leaving the “1”s out for clarity, here is how you would enter this: 0.01661 2000 453.59 0.789 29.57 32
top top top bottom bottom bottom

The second option is to use parentheses for the denominator. Again, leaving out the “1”s for clarity, you could enter the calculation as

follows: 0.01661 2000 453.59 0.789 29.57 32 Either one of these methods will give you the correct answer.
Please try both of these methods in your calculator now and write your answer here:____________________________
Now for the wrong way. The most common wrong way to enter this would be: 0.01661 2000 453.59 0.789 29.57 32
which is basically the second option above, but without parentheses. Enter this into your calculator and answer here___________.
Notice that this last method does not give the same answer as the first two did. You must choose a method that will give you the
correct answer and you must practice it!

Enter the following into your calculator and report your answer on the line provided:

You must report your answer to 2 decimal places (for example: x.xx )
You must report your answer with appropriate unit

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