Navigating Your Casio Calculator

Dr J Frost ([email protected])
www.drfrostmaths.com

Last modified: 30th August 2015

Click a button.

For details on statistical

calculations, press the
‘Mode’ button.
You didn’t press a button for which information is
provided. Click the button below to go back.

< Return
Mode Menu < Return

1 COMP
Puts the calculator in normal ‘computation’ mode.
You would need to do this if you were previously using stats/table mode and
want to revert back to regular calculations.

2 STATS > Go

Allows you to calculate various statistics based on a table of data, e.g. mean,
variance, standard deviation, the equation of the line of best fit, strength of
correlation, etc.

3 TABLE > Go  𝑦=𝑥 2 − 2 𝑥 +1

1 2 3
Allows you to generate a table of values for a
given function, like the table on the right. 0 1 4

4 VERIF
Allows you to verify whether an equation or inequality is true.
Special Buttons < Return

SHIFT If you press a button after pressing SHIFT, it will use

the operation indicated by the gold text above that
button.

ALPHA If you press a button after pressing ALPHA, it will use

the operation or letter indicated by the red text above
that button.

The letter X is particularly useful for entering a

function. Click the ‘MODE’ button then ‘TABLE’ for
more information.
Arrow Buttons < Return

You can use the up and down arrow buttons to

retrieve previous calculations (a bit like your internet
browser’s ‘Back’ and ‘Forward buttons!)

You’ll need the left and right button for example when
entering a fraction, and want to switch between
numerator and denominator.

The arrow buttons are also used when navigating a

table (e.g. in Statistics mode)
On < Return

On Engineers are yet to discover the true nature of this

button, which has eluded mankind for centuries.

But some mathematicians have theorised that

pressing this button turns the calculator on.
Multi-Statements < Return

:
The semi-colon allows you to write multiple different
x3 expressions, and evaluate them one at a time.

[2] [+] [3] [ALPHA] [:] [4] [x] [7]

[=]  5
[=]  28
The Absolute Function < Return

 Theabsolute/modulus function makes a negative

Abs
number positive, and a positive number remains
positive.

On its own it has limited use, but is useful if you want

to plot a table of values, e.g. for

It’s particularly useful for C3/C4 at A Level, if you want to check your
sketch for a function (involving the modulus function) is correct by
generating a table of values.
The Reciprocal Function < Return

 From Laws of Indices, you may have learnt that

x-1

This is known as the ‘reciprocal’ of x.

[6] [x-1] = 1/6

[1/7] [x-1] = 7
The Factorial Function < Return

x!  

x-1
In general, is the product of 1 to .
gives the number of ways of arranging objects in a
line. The factorial function tends to also crop up in
Calculus and Number Theory.
The Logarithm Function < Return

log Just as the ‘square root’ function is the opposite of

‘squaring’, log2 for example is the opposite of finding 2 to
log the power of something.

log2 32 = 5, because 25 = 32
log3 81 = 4, because 34 = 81

Use the arrow keys to move between the boxes after

pressing the button.

When you use the second log button with no ‘base’, it uses base 10.
Fractions < Return

  When you have more complicated calculations to do


on a calculator that involve a division, it’s ‘safer’ to
use a fraction because you don’t have to worry about
BIDMAS.

For example, to evaluate:

You can enter this exactly as it appears using the

fraction button, using the arrow buttons to move up
and down. This avoids the problem of 4.7/0.3 being
evaluated first.

Using SHIFT on this button allow you to have mixed numbers.

Root Functions < Return

 Use these buttons to get various roots of a number.

3
√
e.g.

√

√
Recurring Decimals < Return

 
⎕̇  This
button allows you to enter recurring decimals.
Your calculator will convert them to fractions.

Recall that
Your calculator will convert this to .
Powers < Return

 Examples:
x
Natural Logarithm < Return

 Thisfinds loge of a number, where e is Euler’s

ln
Constant (2.71...)
See the log button for more information.

This is hugely useful in Integration and Differentiation,

which you learn about at A Level.
Euler’s Constant < Return

 Euler’s Constant e is equal to 2.71828...

e
This first button allows you to do e to some power.
e Using e1 allows you to see the value of e.

e can also be found above the [] button by using

[ALPHA].

e arises in many different places in maths, notably

calculus, where

If the probability of winning the lottery is 1 in 14

million, and you buy 14 million random tickets, the
probability that you don’t win the lottery at all is
roughly 1 in e.
Degrees, Minutes, Seconds < Return

′
° ′′
  When you have some angle or time as a decimal,
press this key to convert it to degrees, minutes (a 60th
of a degree) and seconds (a 60th of a minute).

or…

This makes sense as 4.75 hours is 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Fun fact: Whereas the ‘decimal’ system is base 10 (i.e. each digit can
have one of 10 values: 0 to 9), the ‘sexagesimal’ system is base 60.
Subdivisions of hours and degrees are in sexagesimal.
Factorise < Return

FACT This finds the prime factorisation of a number.

You need to enter the number first, then press =.
THEN use the FACT button.

[120] [=] [FACT]  233 x 3 x 5

Hyperbolic Functions < Return

 After
pressing [hyp], use either the sin, cos or tan
hyp
button (or inverse sin/cos/tan) to get their
‘hyperbolic’ equivalents: sinh, cosh, tanh.
is the parametric form of a hyperbola with Cartesian equation , just as
is the parametric form of a circle with equation .

These are defined as:

These are useful as solutions to certain differential equations. For

example, if you hang a rope between two points so that it forms a ‘u’
shape (known as a caternary), its shape can be given by .
Trigonometric Functions < Return

sin Trigonometry allows you to find missing sides and

angles on triangle. For right-angled triangles, sin, cos
cos and tan give the ratio of different pairs of sides.

tan For example, to solve the following problems...

sin-1
3 4
x

y
60°
3

x = 3sin60 y = cos-1 (3/4)

Brackets < Return

( Brackets are hugely handy in ensuring operations in

your expression are evaluated in a certain order.
) Recall that in ‘BIDMAS’, ‘Brackets’ comes first.

   3 (because the x is done first)

 4 (using the brackets ensures + is done first)
Storing values in variables < Return

In algebra we use variables to represent values. We

STO
can use the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, X, Y on the
calculator for this purpose.

Store store 3 + 5 in memory as ‘A’:

(Note, don’t press the ALPHA button after pressing STO)

[3] [+] [5] [STO] [A]

To evaluate 10A:

[10] [x] [A] [=]

Engineering Notation < Return


Engineering notation is similar to standard form,
ENG except the power of 10 can only be a multiple of 3.
Percentages < Return

% The % button is of fairly limited usefulness. It converts

a percentage into its equivalent decimal (by dividing
by 100).

[90] [x] [40] [%] = 36

(this found 40% of 90)
Comma < Return

, The comma is used for used in generating random

integers, and converting between rectangular and
polar coordinates.

Click the RANDINT, REC or POL buttons for more

information.
Converting between decimal/surd/fraction < Return

𝑆 ↔𝐷
   Thisvery useful button converts your number
between different forms. S stands for ‘Surd’ and D for
‘Decimal’.
The button also converts expressions involving
fractions and constants (e.g. ) into decimal form, and
back again.

[√] [8] [] 

[]  8.88576...

[4] [] [9] 
[] 0.4444...
 Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers < Return

 𝑏 𝑑  This
allows you to convert between improper fractions
𝑎 ↔
𝑐 𝑐 and mixed numbers.

[24] [] [16] 
[] 
Independent Memory < Return

M+ The independent memory is useful if you’re trying to

keep a running total of calculations.

M- Once entering an expression, press [M+] instead of [=] to add

your result from the running total.
To subtract the result, use [M-]
M
To display the currently stored total, use [RCL] [M]

(Your value will be preserved when the calculator is turned off.

See the [CLR] button to see how to wipe the value.)
Clear Memory < Return

CLR This allows you to delete the values you’ve stored for
variables and in independent memory.
Permutation Function < Return

This function used in ‘Combinatorics’ (the study of

nPr
arrangements of items and structures), allows us to
find the number of ways of picking r objects from n,
and putting them in a line.

Example:
We have 5 cards with the letters A, B, C, D, E.
We want to put 3 in a line. This gives words such as
ABC, AEC, DEA, etc. How many possibilities are there?

[5] [nPr] [3]  60

This function tends not to be used very often – the ‘choose’

function (nCr) is much more common.
Choose Function < Return

This function used in ‘Combinatorics’ (the study of

nCr
arrangements of items and structures), allows us to find
the number of ways of choosing r objects from n, such
that the order of the items doesn’t matter.

Examples:
“How many different possible lottery tickets are there?”
You choose 6 numbers from 49. So:

[49] [nCr] [6] [=]  13983816

Polar and Rectangular (Catersian) Coords < Return

Cartesian coordinates are represented by x and y values

Pol
(and any further dimensions).
Polar coordinates however are represented by the
Rec distance of the origin, and the angle anticlockwise from
the x-axis.
y In Cartesian coordinates:
(√3,1)
(√3,1)
In Polar coordinates:
2 (2, 30)

30 To convert Rectangular to Polar:

x [POL] [√][3] [,] [1] [=]

To convert Polar to Rectangular:

[REC] [2] [,] [30] [=]
Statistic < Return

Allows you to calculate a statistic (such as mean,

STAT
variance, correlation strength) based on a data set
you’ve entered. Click on the MODE button from the
calculator display and then ‘Stats’ for more information.
Rounding < Return

Rounds a number according to the current accuracy

Rnd
set on he calculator.
Random Numbers < Return

 This will
give you a three-digit random number
RAN#
between 0 and 1.

To find a random number between 0 and 5:

[RAND] [] [5] [=]  3.78

Gives you a random integer (whole number) between

RanInt a and b. Since this is in red, you need to use the
ALPHA button to access it.

Random integer between 1 and 6:

[ALPHA] [RanInt] [1] [,] [6] [=]  4

  get a list of random integers, just put your calculator in TABLE

To
mode, then use the function
Pi < Return

Pi is typically used in calculations to do with circles.


It is a constant with the value 3.1415...

Circumference   Area
 Using : Using
[2] [x] [3] [x] [] [=] [] [x] [3] [x2] [=]
Standard Form < Return

 Standard
Form allows us to represent large or small
x10 x
numbers without having to use lots of digits.

Your calculator will automatically put your number in

standard form if it can’t fit your number on the screen.

[3.2] [] [5] [=]  320000

The Answer Button < Return

 This
incredibly handy button allows you to use your
ANS
previous answer in a subsequent calculation.

[3] [x] [2] [=]  6

[ANS] [+] [1]  7

At A Level, it is incredibly useful for iterative formulas:

Suppose , and you start with .

[3] [=]  3
[2] [+] [1] [/] [ANS]  2.333...
[=]  2.428...
[=]  2.411...

As you can see, we can keep hitting the = key to perform further
iterations.
Stats Mode < Return

This mode allows you to calculate various statistics based on a table of data,
e.g. mean, variance, standard deviation, the equation of the line of best fit,
strength of correlation, etc. You’ll be presented with various options:

Single Variable (X) Two Variables (X, Y)

Use when you have just one variable, e.g. Use when you have a scatter diagram, e.g.
height, weight, shoe size. hours revised against test score.

y = a + bx
1 - VAR A + BX _ + CX2
For your single variable, calculates things like Assumes your data points Assumes y has a quadratic
mean, standard deviation, variance, etc. roughly follow a straight relationship to x, i.e. Your
line, i.e. have a linear y = a + bx + cx2 points roughly fit onto a
relationship. e.g. will find a parabola.
straight line of best fit for
you. Use if you’re trying to
find the Product Moment ln X
Correlation Coefficient
Assumes your data follows
(which assumes a linear
the model y = a ln X + b
relationship).

> Click to see how to enter your data.

Stats Mode – Entering Data < Back
Important Note: If you want a frequency column (which is NOT the same as having a second
 variable !), first press SHIFT -> SETUP, press down, select STAT and turn frequency on. You
A table should appear.
will not need to do this setup again even after your calculator is switched off.

Enter each X value in your data, pressing [=]

after each one. If you have two variables,
your Y value will temporarily be set to 0.

If you have a second variable, use the

arrow keys to move to the top of the Y
column. Now enter your Y values using [=]
again.

Once you’ve finished entering your data, press the [AC] button to go back
to calculation entry mode, so that you can now calculate statistics based AC
on your table. You can modify your table again using SHIFT -> [1] and
selecting ‘Data’.

> Click to see how you now calculate

statistics based on your table.
Stats Mode – Calculating Statistics < Back < Home

Presuming you have just pressed the [AC] button while in Stats mode:

|STAT|
Use the |STAT| button (SHIFT and 1). This will present a number of
1 options...

Sum Var Reg MinMax

Finds the sum of the Allows you to calculate Will find the a, b (and c) Unsurprisingly,
values of your variables. the mean of x or y, the in your line or best fit, will find the
e.g. x, x2 (useful when number of items n, and whether a + bx (if a maximum or
calculating variance), y, the population or straight line) or minimum X or
xy, etc. sample standard otherwise. Y value.
deviations. Will also find your
correlation coefficient r
(known as the PMCC
Once you’ve chosen a statistic to use, it’ll for the linear case).
appear in your calculation area. You can
always combine multiple together. Once done,
press [=]
> Practice < Home
Stats Mode – Exercise < Back < Home

Use your calculator to directly calculate the following statistics.

Age of dwarf (x) Orcs killed in battle (y)

 
The average number of orcs killed
46 1423 in battle.
57 1203 (Use Var  .)

26 697
𝑦Click
 ´ =1317.75
to Reveal
105 1948

A formula for estimating the number of orcs

killed (y) using the age of the dwarf (x).
(Use Reg  a to find the y-intercept and Reg  b to
find the gradient of your line of best fit)

 𝑦=480.396+14.314
Click to Reveal 𝑥
The Product Moment Correlation Coefficient.
(Use Reg  r. -1 means perfect negative correlation, 0
means no correlation, and 1 mean perfect positive
correlation)

 𝑟=
Click0.926
to Reveal
Table Mode < Back

In some exam questions you’re asked to calculate a table of values for a given function:
f(x) = x2 + 1/2
x -1 -0.5 0 0.5
f(x) 1.5 0.75 0.5 0.75

Your calculator can do this for you. Once in table mode, your calculator display should
look like this:

Now input some expression in terms of X. You can use [ALPHA]  [X] to use X in your
expression.

> Next
Table Mode < Back

Now press [=]. You will be asked for the ‘Start’ number.
In our table, the first value of x is -1. Type in -1 and press [=]

x -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1
f(x) 1.5 0.75 0.5 0.75 1.5

You will now be asked for the ‘End’ number. In our table above, the last value of x is 1.
Type 1 then press [=].

Finally you’re asked for the step size. This is how much x is increasing by each time. In
our table, it’s 0.5.

Once you press equals, you’ll be presented with a nice looking table.
You can use the arrow keys to scroll through it.

< Return
Secret Menu! < Return

7 Hold [SHIFT] and [7] and then press [ON].

Now press [9], then [SHIFT] 5 times.

After waiting for the messages to display, press [AC].

You can change the screen contrast, and pressing [AC]
again activates a button test – pressing each button
(in the correct order!) displays a different integer.