TOPIC 19 –CALCULATORS

Content and Skills Applications, Implications and Considerations Notes

Objectives

Students are able to use the Operation Keys to be used in the calculations are surrounded
keys associated with: by the symbol .

(i) ON/OFF Students need to be aware that information/data/settings

may/may not be retained when a calculator is turned off.

(ii) Basic operations Evaluate simple expressions – confirm order of operations

+ − × ÷ or / Example: 28 ÷ 4 + 3 × 5 ⇒ 28 ÷ 4 + 3 × 5 =

Clear last entry/operation The register interchange key X ↔ Y could be introduced if

C the teacher feels that it would be beneficial.
Clear screen/all operations
AC

(iii) Sign change +

/− Can be used to enter a negative number or change the sign of
a number

(iv) SHIFT and keypad key Explain multi-key operations

(v) Reciprocal operation Evaluate expressions containing reciprocals

1 1
1 Example: + ⇒ 4 x −1 + 6 x −1 =
x −1 or 4 6
x
This can also be accomplished with the use of the fraction
key which is introduced later.

(vi) Parentheses Use parenthesis keys ( ) to enter mixed operations.

Emphasise order of operations.
Practise evaluating multi-parenthesis expressions.
( ) { } [ ]
Examples: Evaluate
(i) 5(7 + 3) ⇒ 5 ( 7 + 3 ) =

8+4
(ii) ⇒ ( 8 + 4 ) ÷ ( 4 − 2 ) =
4−2
(iii)
5 + 2{12 − 4(5 − 3)}⇒ 5 + 2 ( 12 − 4 ( 5 − 3 ) ) =
(vii Squares, square roots, cube Find squares, square roots and cube roots.
) roots Take care with the logic of some calculators.
Some calculators require the = sign to be used after the
operation while others don’t.
x2 3

Examples: Evaluate
(i) 16 ⇒ 16 or 16 =
(ii) 32 + 4 2 ⇒ ( 3 x2 + 4 x2 ) =
 TOPIC 19 –CALCULATORS

(vii Fractions a bc Input mixed and improper fractions.

i) Change from mixed to improper fractions.
Change from fraction to decimal (and back to a fraction).
d Practise evaluating expressions containing fractions.
Improper Fractions c

(ix) Powers xy Take care with some expressions.

Eg: (i) 41.5 ⇒ 4 x y 1.5 =

3
(ii) 4 2 ⇒ 4 x y ( 3 a bb 2 ) =

(x) Memories Input numbers into memory, clear screen, recall memory.
M in M+ MR Add new value to memory.
Replace memory contents with a new value.
Store function Clear memory - 0 M in .
Evaluate expressions with the aid of memory/memories.
Test memory retention by turning calculator ON/OFF.
Some calculators have up to 7 memories all of which can be
used to store intermediate steps when evaluating complex
expressions.
Other possible keys are the memory/screen interchange key
X ↔ M and the negative memory input M − .

(xi) Fix number of decimal Write output to a given number of decimal places.
places Return output mode to normal.

MODE FIX n Method will most likely depend on the type of calculator.

where n is the number of Eg: Write output to 4 decimal places ⇒ MODE FIX 4
decimal places required

(xii Scientific Notation / Interpret screen display with positive and negative exponents.
) Standard Form EXP
Eg: 3 × 102 + 4 × 10−3 ⇒ 3 EXP 2 + 4 EXP 3 +
− =

(xii Evaluate mixed expressions

i) with the aid of a calculator