Sharp EL-531WH

Math Calculations

Learning Skills

Introduction:

This sheet will teach you how to use the Sharp EL-531WH calculator to perform basic mathematical operations. Some of the keys that are available for basic calculations on your calculator are explained here. See also our handout for statistical functions. Any further queries please contact Student Central.
This sheet will teach you to:
Use normal calculator mode Recognise basic keys you need to be familiar with Calculate using trig keys Put information into memory Perform basic calculations

1. Location of keys

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2. Calculator Modes
Your calculator has 2 different modes. One is for normal calculations and the other for statistical calculations. To put your calculator into normal mode press: MODE 0
If Rad or GRAD appear then press DRG until you have DEG
A small DEG will appear on the top of the screen.
3. Keys to be familiar with
ON/C Turns the calculator on and clears the screen. Clear the screen before each new calculation.
This is the key you must use when you have a negative number to enter.
Example 3.1: -3 + 4 Calculator steps: OR +/3 + 4 =

3 +/- + 4 = Answer = 1

( and ) These are the brackets keys and are used in the same order they appear in a sum.

Example 3.2: a.

This is the key that allows you to work with fractions.

Calculator steps: 1

The screen display will look like 1 r 5. The final answer will be shown as 22 r 35 which reads as

b. Calculator steps: 2

5 = Answer = Page 2 of 9

a bc 3 a bc 4 x 2 a bc

Example 3.3:
This key will square a number

Calculator steps: 5 6

(this means

= Answer = 3136

This key will find the square root of a number
Example 3.4: a. Calculator steps:

= Answer = 4

Answer = 1.857417562
This key is the power key

Example 3.5:

Calculator steps:

(this means 8

4 = Answer = 4096
A logarithm is an alternative way of writing a number. It is particularly useful when working with large numbers.
Example 3.6: log Calculator steps: log 600090 = Answer = 5.77821639

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ln This key is next to the log key. You may encounter either of these functions in chemistry or physics subjects. They both involve the base number e, which has an approximate value of 2.7183. The log key mentioned above, as well as our everyday number calculations, revolves around a base number of 10.

Example 3.7:

Calculator steps: SHIFT
ln = Answer = 4023.872394
This is the exponent key. It is used when you need to enter a number into the calculator in scientific notation.

Example 3.8:

1.2.68 102
Calculator steps: 4 Exp Exp 2 = Answer = 500

Scientific Notation

Note: 1.is the scientific notation form of the number 134 000. The exponent key is replacing the 10. Only the decimal number and the power need to be entered.
key is on the top line of the functions section of the calculator

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4. Memory keys
To enter a number into the memory: Example 4.1: To enter 852.36 in the memory Calculator steps: 6 STO M+ To recall or use the number stored in the memory: Example 4.2: 78 number stored M+ = Answer = 66 484.08

An M will appear on the display when a number is stored in the memory.

Calculator steps: x RCL

To clear the memory Calculator steps: 0 STO M+ AC

5. Trigonometric keys

To find a ratio given an angle: the angle may be given as degrees or as radians To swap between degrees and radian mode: Press the DRG key (top line on right) This key swaps between degrees mode, radian mode and gradian mode. You will only need to use either degrees or radian measures.

Example 5.1: Sin

= Answer = 0.7880107536
Make sure your calculator is in degrees mode Calculator steps: sin 5 2

Example 5.2: Tan

Make sure your calculator is in radian mode Calculator steps: tan ( 3 x Or 3 x 4 = 4 tan ) = = Learning Skills @ CSU

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Answer = -1

6. Review Exercise set 1

Use your calculator to find the value of the following. a.

b. log 345 c. d. e. f.

253461

+ + 3 12

( 283) 3

g. cos

7. Performing calculations
Scientific calculators have an in-built order of operations. This means that the calculator will automatically work out operations in questions following the order of operation rules. Using an equal sign within a calculation or using brackets may be necessary at times in order to get the correct solution.

Example 7.1 2+3 4

The calculator will automatically multiply before adding. Calculator steps: 2 + 3 x 4 = Answer = 14

Example 7.2 (2 + 3) 4

Use the brackets on your calculator or use the equal sign after the 3 to force the addition first. Calculator steps: Or ( 2 + 3 ) x 4 = 2 + 3 = x 4 = Answer = 20

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Example 7.3
Calculator steps: 1 ( + 34 ) =
You must use brackets around the bottom line to total the numbers Answer = 0.016949152

Example 7.4

Calculator steps: 5 ( + ) =
You must use brackets around the 13 + 56 Answer = 0.6019292654

Example 7.5

Calculator steps: - = 7 = Answer = 0362428842

Example 7.

523 - 27

9 = Answer = 442

Example 2.7
Calculator steps: log x 5 2

= Answer = 10537.99386

Example 2.8 Cos 49 Calculator steps:
102 cos x 2 = Page 7 of 9 Learning Skills @ CSU

Answer = 66.91802096

8. Review exercise set 2

482 + 753

305 156
Add together 5, 3, 1, 4, 6, 8 and 12 then square the total.

log123 (56 521)

(4 7) 3 12

tan 69o 5.2

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9. Answers

Review exercise set 1 a. 337.0896 b. 2.537819095 c. 503.4491037

d. 1116.121191 e. f.

g. 0.8987940463
Review exercise set 2 a. b. 12.20655562 c. 6.56
d. 81 e. 66.31909936 f. 0.4771368935
g. 1.467441149 h. 0.02858333 i. j. 13.54646314 0.159679905

For more information

Visit our Learning Skills website at http://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/learning/index.html

Copyright

Learning Skills, Charles Sturt University, December 2008

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