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Using a Scientific Calculator In Mathematics Exams
by: Nicholas Pinhey Using a Scientific Calculator In Mathematics Exams With exams approaching this is a short article with reminders and advice
for anyone about to take a mathematics exam and who will need to use a
scientific calculator.The most common calculator problems are: - setting up the calculator in the right mode - not being able to find the calculator manual ! - remembering to change calculator modes - rounding and inaccurate answers Why Use a Scientific Calculator? Scientific calculators all use the same order for carrying out
mathematical operations. This order is not necessarily the same as just reading
a calculation from left to right. The rules for carrying out mathematical
calculations specify the priority and so the order in which a calculation should
be done - scientific calculators follow the same order. This order is sometimes
abbreviated by terms such as BODMAS and BIDMAS to help students remember the
order of doing calculations. 1st. Brackets (all calculations within bracket are done first) 2nd. Operations (eg squaring, cubing, square rooting, sin, cos, tan ) 3rd. Division and Multiplication 4th. Addition and Subtraction Being aware of this order is necessary in order to use a scientific
calculator properly. This order should always be used in all mathematical
calculations whether using a calculator or not. Scientific calculator check There are two types of scientific calculator, the most recent type being
algebraic scientific calculators. Algebraic scientific calculators allow users
to type in calculations in the order in which they have been written down. Older
scientific calculators need users to press the mathematical operation key after
they have entered the number. For example to find the square root of nine (with an answer of three)
press: [button] Algebraic scientific calculator: [SQUARE ROOT] [9] [=] Non algebraic scientific calculator: [9] [SQUARE ROOT] [=] Both these types of scientific calculator are fine for exams, but make
sure you know how to use your type. If you are not sure whether you have a scientific calculator are not, type
in: [4] [+] [3] [x] [2] [=] If you get an answer of 14, then you have a left to right non-scientific
calculator. If you get an answer of 10, then you have a scientific calculator as it
has worked out the multiplication part first. Lost Calculator Manuals Calculator manuals tend to get lost very easily or you can never find them
as an exam is approaching. A frequent request is what can you do if you have
lost your calculator’s manual? If it is a relatively new model then you
can download a copy from the manufacturer’s web site. If it is an old
Sharp or old Casio calculator manual then you can probably find one on the
internet. Even with search engines, finding these manuals can take some time -
use the following quick link for Casio: website and old calculator manuals;
Sharp: website and old calculator manuals; Hewlett-Packard calculators and Texas
Instruments calculators:
http://www.gcse-maths-revision-cards.co.uk/maths_calculator_exam_paper Calculator Mode Now that you have your calculator manual you can set your calculator to
the correct settings. The standard settings are usually: COMPUTATIONAL: (use MODE button – choose normal not stat) NOT: SD or REG DEGREES: (use MODE or DRG button) NOT: RAD OR GRAD NORMAL: (use MODE or SETUP and arrow keys) NOT: FIX, SCI, ENG Many calculators have a reset button on the back that can be pressed in
using a pen or paper clip if you want the original factory settings. The most common mistake is to leave your calculator in a previous mode and
forgetting to CHANGE IT BACK AGAIN ! (We’ve all done it, just try to
avoid doing it in the exam !) Common Calculator Mistakes (a) Pressing the DRG button by mistake and not doing trigonometry
questions in DEGREES mode. (If you are doing more advanced work then forgetting
to change out of DEGREES mode !). (b) Borrowing an unfamiliar calculator or getting a new calculator too
close to the exam and not being familiar with the keys and how to change modes. (c) Forgetting to write down and check work. Any exam with a calculator
should have a warning on it! It is essential to write down the calculations that
you're doing so that you can get method marks. You should also try and double
check all calculations in case of pressing a wrong button. (d) Round only at the end of a calculation. Store calculations in the
memory and use all the decimal places during calculations. If you use a rounded
value too soon then you will lose accuracy. (e) Forgetting to use brackets on division calculations (e.g. when
dividing by ALL the bottom part of fraction). Many calculators are now very powerful and have amazing computational
power. Some of the programmable calculators are mini computers. Although they
will all calculate 100% accurately every time, unfortunately they are only as
good and as accurate as their operator! It is often the case that candidates perform better without a calculator
as it is very easy to make simple mistakes when using one. If you can do so, it
certainly helps to have an idea of the rough size of the answer, so that you can
see if an answer is sensible or not. It is also a good idea to repeat all
calculations just in case you have made a mistake.
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