Some Uses of Calculator

in Additional Mathematics
Casio fx-570MS
Casio fx-991MS
1 Use of CALC function
Use to calculate the values of a function when the
variable takes various values.
Useful for topic like Quadratic Function (Form 4
Chapter 3).
For example, f(x) = x
2
3x 10, -3 x 6.
Key in Alpha x
2
3Alpha x 10, then press,
CALC, -3, =.
Repeat for other values of x until done. Do not
press other keys.
x
y
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
8
0
-6
-10
-12
-12 -10 -6 0 8
2 Solve Quadratic Equations
Solve the equation

2x(2x - 3) = 5(2 x)
4x
2
6x = 10 5x
4x
2
x 10 = 0
x =

=

= 1.711, -1.4610
x
x x
2
2
5
3 2
=

) 4 ( 2
) 10 )( 4 ( 4 ) 1 ( ) 1 (
2

8
161 1
How can we use
the calculator to
help us?
#1 We can use the
calculator here.
#2 We can also use
the calculator here.
#3 We can even use the
calculator here.
2 Solve Quadratic Equations
Solve the equation

2x(2x - 3) = 5(2 x)
4x
2
6x = 10 5x
4x
2
x 10 = 0
x =

=

= 1.711, -1.4610
x
x x
2
2
5
3 2
=

) 4 ( 2
) 10 )( 4 ( 4 ) 1 ( ) 1 (
2

8
161 1
#1 We can use the
calculator here.
Enter (1 + \161) 8 =
The answer 1.711 is
displayed.
Now move the cursor to
change + to -, then press =.
The second answer -1.461 is
displayed.
2 Solve Quadratic Equations
Solve the equation

2x(2x - 3) = 5(2 x)
4x
2
6x = 10 5x
4x
2
x 10 = 0
x =

=

= 1.711, -1.4610
x
x x
2
2
5
3 2
=

) 4 ( 2
) 10 )( 4 ( 4 ) 1 ( ) 1 (
2

8
161 1
#2 We can also use
the calculator here.
Press mode until EQN is
displayed.
In EQN mode, ignore
UNKNOWNS by pressing
the arrow. Go to
DEGREES, & choose 2.
Enter values of a, b and
c.
The roots are displayed:
x
1
= 1.711, x
2
= -1.461.
2 Solve Quadratic Equations
Solve the equation

x
x x
2
2
5
3 2
=

#3 We can even use

the calculator here.
Enter the equation as:
(2Alpha x -3)

5 Alpha =(2 Alpha x)

(2Alpha x)
Press Shift Solve. x? is displayed.
Enter a positive number, say 10, and press = .
Press Shift Solve again. x = 1.711 is displayed.
Press Shift Solve, enter a negative number, say -10.
Press Shift Solve again. x = -1.461 is displayed.
2 Solve Quadratic Equations
Which of the three methods to use depends
on:
where (Paper 1 or Paper 2 of Add Maths);
the skills of the user. (For example, if
cannot express the equation in the general
form, then use the third method.)
3 Solve equations involving
indices and logarithms
Consider the equation
2
x
= 7.
Enter the equation as
2^Alpha X Alpha = 7
Press Shift Solve,
Shift Solve.
Answer X = 2.807 is
displayed.
Another way: Enter
the equation as
log (2^ Alpha X)
Alpha = log 7.
Press Shift Solve,
Shift Solve.
Answer X = 2.807 is
displayed.
Is the second
method faster?
Now try some past year questions:
(2009) 3
n 3
27
n
= 243
Enter equation as: 3^(Alpha X 3) x
27^Alpha X Alpha = 243
Press Shift Solve, Shift Solve.
Answer X = 2 is displayed.
3 Solve equations involving
indices and logarithms
Change n to X
as calculator
only recognise
X as unknown.
4 Calculations in the radian
mode
When finding angles in radians, no need to find
them in degrees and convert.
Just set the calculator in the radian mode.
For example: Form 4 Chapter 8
Find ZAOC in radians.
sinZAON =
5
/
6
ZAON = sin
-1
(
5
/
6
)
ZAOC = 2 x ZAON
= 2 x sin
-1
(
5
/
6
)
= 1.970 rad
O
C
A
B
6 cm
N
5 Linear Laws
Calculator can be used to check answers obtained from
linear graphs, including gradient, Y-intercept, X and Y
values.
Example, Form 5 Chapter 2.
In the REG mode, choose Lin (Linear Regression).
Enter the values in pairs, separated by commas, press
M+ each time.
Press SHIFT, S-VAR. Scroll until A B r are displayed. A
Y-intercept, B gradient.
Choose A, press =. This gives 3.97.
Choose B, press =. This gives 7.98.
t 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
v 4.0 7.7 12.0 16.2 20.2 23.6
Use the calculator
for checking after
drawing the graph.
5 Linear Laws
To find the values of the variables:
In this example, find the value of v when t = 1.2.
Enter 1.2
Press SHIFT and S-VAR. Scroll until
Choose and press =.
Answer displayed: 13.55 .
Similarly, find the value of X when given the value
of Y, use
t 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
v 4.0 7.7 12.0 16.2 20.2 23.6
^ ^
y x
^
y
^
x
6 Probabilities for the Standard
Normal Distribution
When in SD or REG mode, press SHIFT and
DISTR will give the display P( Q( R( t.
This is for finding probability of the stan
dard normal distribution.
For example, z = 0.5.
P(0.5) gives P(Z < 0.5) = 0.6914.
Q(0.5) gives P(0 < Z < 0.5) = 0.19146
R(0.5) gives P(Z > 0.5) = 0.3085
Note that the value of z can be in fraction.
7 Statistics
In SD mode, enter a set of data to find mean,
standard deviation, etc
Example, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12.
Key in data and press M+ (or DT).
2 occurs twice, so press M+ twice.
Multiple entries can also be done using SHIFT + , .
Example, enter 3 SHIFT , 4 M+ means that 3 is
entered 4 times.
When finished, n = 11 is displayed.
Now, press SHIFT S-SUM to find Ex
2
, Ex,
Or press SHIFT S-VAR to find mean and standard
deviation.
8 Solutions of triangles
When using the sine rule or cosine rule, leave
calculation till the end.
When in double, use the brackets.
For example, the sine rule (Form 4)


sin R =

R = sin
-1

=
70.53
R sin
8
45 sin
6
=
6
45 sin 8
|
.
|

\
|
6
45 sin 8
Enter Shift sin ((8sin45)6)
Press =
The answer 70.53 is
displayed
8 Solutions of triangles
R sin
8
45 sin
6
=
Another way (without simplifying this equation):
Enter the equation directly.
Consider sin R as X.
Enter 6

sin45 Alpha = 8

Alpha X
Press Shift Solve, Shift Solve.
When answer is displayed, (X = 0.9428), press
Shift sin =.
The final answer (70.53) is then displayed.
The Sine rule

R = 70.53
8 Solutions of triangles
Similarly for the cosine rule.
16.5
2
= 10
2
+ 12
2
2(10)(12)cos u

cos u =

u = cos
-1

= 96.76
12 )( 10 ( 2
5 . 16 12 10
2 2 2
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
12 )( 10 ( 2
5 . 16 12 10
2 2 2
Enter Shift cos ((10
2

+12
2
16.5
2
)
(21012))
Press =
The answer 96.76 is
displayed.
8 Solutions of triangles
The cosine rule.
16.5
2
= 10
2
+ 12
2
2(10)(12)cos u


u = 96.76
Another way: Enter the equation as it is.
Consider cos u as X.
16.5
2
Alpha = 10
2
+ 12
2
210 12 Apha X
Press Shift Solve, Shift Solve.
When the answer (X = =0.1177) is displayed,
press Shift cos =.
The final answer (96.76) is displayed.