This is the first round for series of posts about optimizing the use of calculator in solving

math problems. The calculator techniques I am presenting here has been known to many
students who are about to take the engineering board exam. Using it will save you plenty of
time and use that time in analyzing more complex problems. The following models of CASIO
calculator may work with these methods: fx-570ES, fx-570ES Plus, fx-115ES, fx-115ES Plus,
fx-991ES, and fx-991ES Plus.

This post will focus on progression progression. To illustrate the use of calculator, we will
have sample problems to solve. But before that, note the following calculator keys and the
corresponding operation:

Name Key Operation Name Key Operation

SHIFT
(Sigma) log

Shift SHIFT

SHIFT
Solve CALC

Mode MODE

Logical ALPHA
equals CALC

Alpha ALPHA

Exponent x[]

SHIFT
Stat 1[STAT]

AC AC

Problem: Arithmetic Progression

The 6th term of an arithmetic progression is 12 and the 30th term is 180.
1. What is the common difference of the sequence?
2. Determine the first term?
3. Find the 52nd term.
4. If the nth term is 250, find n.
5. Calculate the sum of the first 60 terms.
6. Compute for the sum between 12th and 37th terms, inclusive.

Traditional Solution
For a little background about Arithmetic Progression, the traditional way of solving this
problem is presented here.
ShowClick here to show or hide the solution

Calculator Technique for Arithmetic Progression

Among the many STAT type, why A+BX?
The formula an = am + (n - m)d is linear in n. In calculator, we input n at X column and an at Y
column. Thus our X is linear representing the variable n in the formula.
Bring your calculator to Linear Regression in STAT mode:
MODE 3:STAT 2:A+BX and input the coordinates.

X (for n) Y (for an)

6 12
30 180
To find the first term:
AC 1 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 5:y-caret and calculate 1y-caret, be sure to
place 1 in front of y-caret.
1y-caret = -23 answer for the first term

To find the 52nd term, and again AC 52 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 5:y-caret and
make sure you place 52 in front of y-caret.
nd
52y-caret = 334 answer for the 52 term

To find n for an = 250,

AC 250 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret
250x-caret = 40 answer for n

To find the common difference, solve for any term adjacent to a given term, say 7th term
because the 6th term is given then do 7y-caret - 12 = 7 for d. For some fun, randomly
subtract any two adjacent terms like 18y-caret - 17y-caret, etc. Try it!

Sum of Arithmetic Progression by Calculator

Bring the your calculator to Quadratic Regression in STAT mode
MODE 3:STAT 3:_+cX2
Why MODE 3:STAT 3:_+cX2?
The formula S = n[ 2a1 + (n - 1)d ] for sum of arithmetic progression is quadratic in n. In our
calculator, we input n in the X column and the sum at the Y column.
Note that for the given AP, a1 = -23, a2 = -16, and a3 = -9. Input three coordinates
X Y
1 -23
2 -23-16
3 -23-16-9

Sum of the first 60 terms: (AC 60 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 6:y-caret)

60y-caret = 11010

Sum from 12th to 37th terms, use SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 6:y-caret twice
37y-caret - 11y-caret = 3679

Another way to solve for the sum is to use the calculation. The concept is to add each term
in the progression. Any term in the progression is given by an = a1 + (n - 1)d. In this problem,
a1 = -23 and d = 7, thus, our equation for an is an = -23 + (n - 1)(7).

Reset your calculator into general calculation mode: MODE 1:COMP then SHIFT log.
Sum of first 60 terms:

(-23 + (ALPHA X - 1) 7) = 11010

Or you can do

(-23 + 7 ALPHA X) = 11010 which yield the same result.

Sum from 12th to 37th terms

(-23 + (ALPHA X - 1) 7) = 3679

Or you may do

(-23 + 7 ALPHA X) = 3679

Calculator Technique for Geometric Progression

Problem
Given the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, ...
1. Find the 12th term
2. Find n if an = 9,565,938.
3. Find the sum of the first ten terms.

Traditional Solution
ShowClick here to show or hide the solution

Solution by Calculator
Why AB^X?
The nth term formula an = a1rn 1 for geometric progression is exponential in form, the
variable n in the formula is the X equivalent in the calculator.
MODE 3:STAT 6:AB^X

X Y
1 2
2 6
3 18

To solve for the 12th term

AC 12 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 5:y-caret
12y-caret = 354294 answer

To solve for n,
AC 9565938 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret
9565938x-caret = 15 answer

Sum of the first ten terms (MODE 1:COMP then SHIFT log)
Each term which is given by an = a1rn 1.

(2(3ALPHA X - 1
)) = 59048 answer

Or you may do

(2 3ALPHA X) = 59048

Calculator Technique for Harmonic Progression

Problem
Find the 30th term of the sequence 6, 3, 2, ...

Solution by Calculator
MODE 3:STAT 8:1/X

X Y
1 6
2 3
3 2

AC 30 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 5:y-caret

30y-caret = 0.2 answer