Navigating Your Casio Calculator

jamie@drfrostmaths.com
www.drfrostmaths.com
@DrFrostMaths

Last modified: 23rd June 2019

Click a button.

For details on statistical

calculations, ratios or
generating a table of
values, press the ‘Menu’
button.
You didn’t press a button for which information is
provided. Click the button below to go back.

< Return
Mode Menu < Return
On your calculator, use the arrow keys to select a mode then press =.
Click a mode below to find out more.

1: Calculate 2: Statistics
Normal calculation. Make calculations from a variable or
frequency table, including mean, standard
deviation, PMCC and regression lines.

3: Table 4: Ratio
Get a table of values for a given function, Find a missing value in two equivalent
e.g. the values of in as varies between - ratios.
4 and 4.
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.
Options < Return

This provides a number of options depending on the current calculator

OPTN mode. See each mode on this Powerpoint for more information.

Mode Options
1: Calculate Mode Access hyperbolic functions (e.g. ) and engineering symbols. Go >
2: Statistics After defining the values of a variable(s), insert statistics such as into your
calculation, or see all key statistics at once.
3: Table As with Mode 1, access hyperbolic function or engineering symbols.
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!)

Use the left and right button after enter a calculation

to navigate back through it, for example if you used a
wrong value within a larger expression but don’t want
to type the whole thing again.

The arrow buttons are also used when navigating a

table (e.g. in Statistics mode) and selecting a
calculator mode from the Menu.
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.
Approximately Equal < Return

usually means “approximately equal to”. On the

≈ calculator, using this key instead of = immediately
gives your answer in decimal form instead of a
surd/fraction, saving you having to subsequently press
the key when decimal form is required.
Negation vs Subtraction < Return

In mathematics, some ‘operators’ take two numbers, e.g. addition

(−) requires a number before and after the + symbol. Such an operator is
known as a binary operator (‘bi’ meaning two).

Subtraction is again a binary operator, because it needs two numbers.

But negation is a unary operator, i.e. it takes only one number, and
‘negates’ it (makes it negative).

means “negative 3”.

means “subtract 3 from 5”.

The key allows you to negate a number, for example:

-3 – 4 means “negative 3 subtract 4”.

However you do not need to use this key: if you write “3” on its own on
your calculator using the normal ‘subtract’ key (rather than the negation
key), your calculator will work out that you meant “negative 3”.
The negative symbol appears slightly narrower on your calculator display
compared to the subtraction symbol: ‘-’ vs ‘’.
𝑥< Return

𝒙 When you’re in TABLE mode and want to input a

function/expression to calculate a table of values for,
e.g. , you’ll need to be able to insert into your
expression.

You can also get using

The Casio 991EX, unlike the 85GTX, has its own
dedicated button.
Multi-Statements < Return

The semi-colon allows you to write multiple different

: expressions, and evaluate them one at a time.

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

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

Abs The absolute/modulus function makes a negative 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 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

-1 From Laws of Indices, you may have learnt that

This is known as the ‘reciprocal’ of .

[6] [-1] = 1/6

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

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
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.
Note: The log button, with no visible base/small number, means log base 10, i.e. .
This is similar to how on its own actually means
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

3
√ Use these buttons to get various roots of a number.

√
e.g.


√
Powers < Return

□
𝑥 Examples:
Natural Logarithm < Return

ln This finds loge of a number, where e is Euler’s

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

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

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

can also be found above the [] button by using

[ALPHA].

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

FAC
T
This finds the prime factorisation of a number.
You need to enter the number first, then press =.
THEN use the FACT button.

[120] [=] [FACT]  23 3 5

Hyperbolic Functions < Return

To get the hyperbolic functions, press the OPTN

button within any mode.
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

cos
angles on triangle. For right-angled triangles, , and
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=3 sin 60 𝑦 =cos −1 ( )

3
4
Brackets < Return

( Brackets are hugely important in ensuring operations

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

 3 (because the is done first)

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

STO
In algebra we use variables to represent values. We
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] [] [A] [=]

You may also wish to investigate the ‘CALC’ button.

Engineering Notation < Return

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

% The % button converts a percentage into its equivalent

decimal (by dividing by 100).

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

(this found 40% of 90)
Comma < Return

, The comma is used for example in generating random

integers. Click the RANDINT button for more
information.
Converting between decimal/surd/fraction < Return

𝑆↔ 𝐷 This very 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.
You can use the key to immediately get the result of a
calculation in decimal form.

[√] [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

To subtract the result, use [M-]

your result from the running total.

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.)
Reset < Return

RESE
T
This allows you to delete the values you’ve stored for
variables and in independent memory.
Permutation Function < Return

nPr
This function used in ‘Combinatorics’ (the study of
arrangements of items and structures), allows us to
find the number of ways of picking objects from , 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

nCr
This function used in ‘Combinatorics’ (the study of
arrangements of items and structures), allows us to find
the number of ways of choosing objects from , 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

Pol
Cartesian coordinates are represented by and values
(and any further dimensions).
Polar coordinates however are represented by the
Rec distance of the origin, and the angle anticlockwise from
the -axis.
𝑦 In Cartesian coordinates:

(√3,1)
In Polar coordinates:
2

30 To convert Rectangular to Polar:

𝑥 [POL] [√][3] [,] [1] [=]

To convert Polar to Rectangular:

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

Rnd
Rounds a number according to the current accuracy
set on he calculator.
Random Numbers < Return

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

[RAND] [] [5] [=]  3.78

To find a random number between 0 and 5:

RanInt
Gives you a random integer (whole number) between
a and b. Since this is in red, you need to use the
ALPHA button to access it.

[ALPHA] [RanInt] [1] [,] [6] [=] 4

Random integer between 1 and 6:


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

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

[2] [] [3] [] [] [] [] [3] [] [=]

Using : Using

[=]
Standard Form < Return

𝑥 Standard Form allows us to represent large or small

×10 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

ANS
This incredibly handy button allows you to use your
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.
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.
Recurring Decimals < Return

⎕̇ This button allows you to enter recurring decimals.

Your calculator will convert them to fractions.

Recall that
After pressing =, your calculator will convert this to .
MODE 2: Statistics < Return

Select a mode:
Single Variable (X) Two Variables (X, Y)
Use when you have just one variable, e.g. height, Use when you have a scatter diagram, e.g. hours revised
weight, shoe size. against test score.

To enter your data, enter each At A Level, when there are two variables,
2 value and press = after each. 1 3 we measure linear correlation or use linear
If you want a frequency column, regression. Thus choose .
3 2 6
press [SHIFT] [SETUP], scroll Enter the left table in a similar manner (if
5 down to Statistics, then turn 3 5 you have a frequency column, the value will
Frequency on. This setting will 4 8 default to 1).
5
be saved for future use.
Again, while entering data, press OPTN then choose “2-Variable
While entering data, press OPTN then choose Calc” to obtain a list of all statistics such as , etc. or “Regression
“1-Variable Calc”. This will give you all key Calc” to obtain (i.e. the coefficients of your line of best fit and
statistics (, etc.) at the same time. the PMCC).

Press AC to enter calculation mode. From here Again, pressing AC allows you to construct a statistical
you can construct a statistic expression yourself, calculation yourself. In OPTN, there is an additional ‘Regression’
e.g. . Press OPTN and scroll down to insert menu allowing you to insert and into your calculation.
symbols such as into your calculation.
Summations are found in the ‘Summation’
submenu, and in the ‘Variable’ menu.
You can press OPTN then ‘Data’ to update your
table.
MODE 3: Table < Return

A function is simply a ‘number machine’ which takes an input (e.g. ) and outputs a value according to
some expression, e.g. is a function which squares the input then adds .
On a graph, we often make the value the output of the function, so might write

In some exam questions you’re Now input some expression in terms of X. You can use
asked to calculate a table of [ALPHA]  [X] to insert X into your expression.
values for a given function:
𝟏
𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) =𝒙 𝟐 +
𝟐 You can also optionally input a second function . Just
x -1 -0.5 0 0.5 press = to skip this.
f(x) 1.5 0.75 0.5 0.75

Once in table mode, your

calculator display should look Enter the starting value (e.g. -1 on the left table), the
like this: ending value. The step size is what the values goes up
by each time in your table. Press = after each number.

Use the arrow keys to

navigate your table.
MODE 4: Ratio < Return

This mode allows you to find a missing value in two equivalent ratios.
For example, if , the calculator would be able to determine that .

Select or depending on whether the missing value is the first number in the ratio or
second.
Unit Conversions < Return

Your calculator can convert between different units.

These are all listed on your calculator case.

Convert 13km/h to m/s

[13] [SHIFT] [CONV]
Choose ‘Velocity’ then
will give 3.6111 m/s
Scientific Constants < Return

Your calculator has a number of scientific constants, mostly used in Physics.

Exam Warning: The value of (gravitational acceleration on Earth) is very accurate on

your calculator, where Mechanics exams require you to use the less accurate 9.8ms -2.

Calculate 3g
[3] [SHIFT] [CONST]
Scroll down to ‘Adopted values’ then select .
will give 29.41995