Using the Casio fx - 250 Solar

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Basic Calculations
GED Math problems can be divided into two types of calculations, basic and advanced.  The following examples are basic calculations such as: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  Use each of the following problems to become familiar with basic calculations.
 

Always press the ON or AC button before starting calculations.
 

Example 1:          12    -    4   +   8  =
    Enter the following:  12  -   4   +    8      =            ( Correct answer is 16)

Example 2:          4  x   5  +   6  -  2   =
    Enter the following:  4   x   5   +  6   - 2   =          (Correct answer is 24)

Example 3:        4  x  (6 +  2)  -  10/2  =
    Enter the following:   4   x  ((...  6  +  2  ...))   -  10 /   2   =      ( Correct answer is 27)

Example  4:       -9  +  2  =
    Enter the following:        9  +/-          +      2   =            (Correct answer is -7)

Advanced Calculations
The second type of  calculations used on the GED Mathematics Test is advanced calculations.  Advanced calculations require the use of operations such as fractions, percentage, square root. 

Fractions
You must learn how to use the fraction key.  Fractions are entered in two ways.

    Simple fractions such as 1/2 are entered as:
        1   A b/c    2

    Mixed numbers such as 1  1/2 are entered as:
        1     A b/c    1    A b/c    2

Example 1:     1/2    +    2/3    =
    `Enter the following  1   A b/c   4      +     2  A b/c     3       =   ( Correct Answer is 11/12)

Example 2:     1  3/4     +    2  1/3   =
    Enter the following:    1    A b/c   3    A b/c    4       +     2   A b/c     1     A b/c      3   =
         (Correct answer is  4  1/12 )

Percents
The Scientific calculator makes it easy to determine percentage increases and decreases

Example 1:     10%  of 340  =
    Enter the following   340  x  10     SHIFT     =     (Correct answer is 34%)

Example 2:    Add 30%  to 2,700
    Enter the following:  2700   x  30     SHIFT   =    +   (Correct answer is 3510)

Example 3:  Decrease 2140  by 15%
    Enter the following   2140    x 15   SHIFT   =   -    (Correct answer is 1819)

Squares
The scientific calculator has a special key that enables you to easily find the square of a given number.  To find the square of 12:
First enter the number 12
Next press the  X (squared) key
The correct answer is 144

Square Roots
To access the square root   key, you must first use the SHIFT then press the X (squared ) key.

Example 1:  What is the square root of 16?
    Enter the following 16   SHIFT   X (squared) key    =  (Correct answer is 4)

Example 2:    4 (squared)    x    (3 + 4)    x    square root of 6    =
    Enter the following:   2  X(squared key)    x   ((... 3   +   4 ....))    x  6  SHIFT   X(squared key) =
    (Correct answer is 274.3428512)

Important Point to Remember
    The Casio fx- 260 Solar Calculator  performs operations in the correct order.  However, it is important that you understand the basic principles involved, especially when you want to check your calculations using paper and pencil  The mnemonic expression "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" is an excellent way to help remember the correct order of operations.

Practice       Practice    Practice  

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