Revision on the use of calculators

Dear girls,

I thought it would be good to type out how to use the different functions of the calculator because as I mark your work, I realise that some of you seem to be keying in the wrong things. Parents, if you happen to be free, it would be nice if you could also learn how to use the calculator so that you can check whether your daughter is using it correctly. Do take note of the following:

1. When you on the calculator, you should only see 'M'(some may not have it, it's ok), 'D' and 'Math' at the top of your calculator. If you see other things like 'STATS', then it means that you are in the wrong mode. To correct, press mode setup, then 1:COMP.

2. For the keying in of fractions. If you prefer to see the boxes to key in the numerator and deminator, then ensure that your calculator is in the MthIO mode. It will always be in this be default unless you have switched it to another mode. To play safe, you can press shift, mode setup, then select 1.
- To key in a fraction, you will press the first button on the left in the second row, indicating 2 boxes. You will key in the number for the numerator first, then press the downwards arrow in the 'replay' button, then you can key in the denominator. To move on, press the right side arrow in the 'replay' button.
- To key in a mixed number, you will need to press shift and the same button (the one with 2 boxes). If you look at the top of this button, you will see 2 boxes, 1 on the left and 2 on the right. This is an indication that this is for the mixed number. Once you do so, you will see 3 boxes in your screen. The first box will be for the whole number, then you will just do the same thing for the fraction part.
- To change your answer from improper fraction (26/5) to mixed number (5 1/5), you will need to press shift, followed by the 'S - D' button, which is the 2nd button from the right in the 4th row. If you repeat the action, you will change it from mixed number back to improper fraction.
- Should you want to change a fraction to decimal or vice versa, you will just press 'S-D'directly.

3. If you prefer the older format of fractions, that is, there isn't the showing of the boxes, then make sure that you change the mode. Press shift, mode setup and select 2:LineIO. While this method of keying in fractions is faster, do ensure that you are able to understand. Parents, this is what you are most used to because this is what the older calculators do. It uses the 'small inverted L' to separate the numbers in the fractions. Do practice a little more if you intend to use this to key in fractions.

4. Always ensure that you press AC before you begin a computation. This will clear any previous memory.

5. If you need to retrive your previous answer, just press Ans and =. This is useful when you have forgot to copy down the answer yet need to use it for more steps.

6. If you need to see what you have done previously (the computation done earlier), you can press the upwards button at the 'replay' button.

7. Should you key in anything wrongly, just press the backwards button at the 'replay', and go to the error, then press DEL to erase the mistake.

I hope this entry has been useful. Should you need more help in the use of calculators, do approach me before your exam. Don't leave it till the very last minute. =)