1. Calculator skills

2. Assuming you already know how to turn them on and off ;)
The basics…
Assuming you already know how to turn them on and off ;)

3. Vitally important for when your calculator misbehaves.
Resetting
Vitally important for when your calculator misbehaves.

4. Directional pad
Useful for navigating back through your working (to check it or to make changes), and on the CASIO, to move out of the fraction and square root ‘boxes’.

5. Toggle button
Only on the CASIO: changes an answer between its fraction and decimal form (or square root and decimal, or 𝜋 and decimal forms).

6. This key allows you to use the second functions (in yellow) e.g.
Shift/2nd F
This key allows you to use the second functions (in yellow) e.g.

7. To do calculations with fractions.
∎ □ or a b c
To do calculations with fractions.
A couple to try:

8. More complicated fractions
On the SHARP you MUST use brackets around both the top and bottom of the expression.
A couple to try:

9. 𝑥 2 and 𝑥 3 To square and cube numbers.
Important: You MUST use brackets on the CASIO when dealing with negative numbers
(the SHARP puts them in for you).
A couple to try:

10. □ To square root a number.
Remember: on the CASIO you may need to use the direction pad to move out of the square root box.
Important: on some calculators you press the □ button after inputting the number.

11. 3 □
To cube root a number

12. To find any root of a number
∎ □ or 𝑥 □
To find any root of a number
A couple to try:

13. % To find percentages of amounts.
This button simply divides (or multiplies) by 100 for you.
A couple to try:

14. Putting it all together
SHARP? Don’t forget those brackets…
CASIO? Might need to use the D-pad…
Now try this one:
678 − ×
Did you manage to get (3d.p.)?
If so, well done! If not, have another go...