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YOUR NOTES
IGCSE Maths CIE
Using a Calculator
CONTENTS
Using a Calculator
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Using a Calculator YOUR NOTES
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Using a Calculator YOUR NOTES
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)
The Casio fx-83GTX Classwiz
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
Page 3 of 7
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1. Mode/setup YOUR NOTES
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
3. Trigonometry (sin/cos/tan)
Remember to use SHIFT (sometimes called 2nd or INV button) when finding angles
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
Page 4 of 7
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Older models may use a small capital letter "E" in place of ×10x on the display line YOUR NOTES
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
[Link]
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
Exam Tip
Always put negative numbers in brackets. For a quick example, try using your
calculator to work out -32 and then (-3)[Link] 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.
Page 5 of 7
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YOUR NOTES
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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YOUR NOTES
Worked Example
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.
5
p+q
a=
p 2q
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.
5
(1 . 2 × 10−4) + (7 . 83 × 105)
a=
(1 . 2 × 10−4) 2 × (7 . 83 × 105)
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.
5
(1 . 2 × 10−4) + (7 . 83 × 105)
a= = 37 . 0107172 . . .
(1 . 2 × 10−4) 2 × (7 . 83 × 105)
Round to 3 decimal places.
a = 37 . 011 (3 d . p . )
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