GED Math: Casio Calculator

Hey, all. Qweenbe wrote in askin’ about the calculator for the GED test… and I’d been meanin’ to do a post about it.

See, it’s a scientific calculator with all kindsa cool functions that you don’t need on the test. It’s important to know how to use it so you don’t hit the wrong order of buttons and get the wrong answer. And the better you gonna get with the calculator, the faster you can do the math.

Hey, these things only cost bout 10 or 15 bucks. So, go get yo’self one, first off, to practice at home. Here’s a link to buy it on Amazon: Casio fx-260 Solar Calculator

Case ya don’t got one, here’s what it looks like:

So, here’s the most important stuff:

Press “on” to turn it on. Yeah, I know, basic, right? It’ll say “DEG” in the top of the screen. Don’t worry what it means, if it says “DEG,” you’re in the right mode to do regular math. But if it says somethin’ else, press “mode” and “4″ to get it to say “DEG”. Now you set!

Jus’ always press “ON” or “AC” to start a new problem, so you know your memory’s clear. Havin’ the last number from the last problem in memory’s gonna mess you up.

To do basic math, jus’ put in the math problem like it’s written “5 + 8 × 16″ or “29 × (4 + 200)”, or whatever, and press the equal key at the end to get the answer.  Remember: you got to press the equal key to get the answer!!!

It knows the order of operations, that is, like, what to do first in the problem. So, it’ll do (1) things in parenthesis, then (2) multiplication an’ division, then (3) addition and subtraction. So, if you’re fixin’ up 9your own equation to punch in, remember–that’s the order it’s done in. You type in parenthesis along with all the rest of your problem. Them’s the [(--- and ---)] keys, for the open and close parenthesis.

Now for the things that are different than just typin’ in the problem:

To get a square root, type in whatever you want the square root of, then “shift” (top left) then the key with x² on it, then equal to get the answer. To get a number squared, just type in the number and then press the x²key and equal.

To make a number negative, press the “+/-” key AFTER the number. So, to type in -9, type “9″ “+/-”

That’s the basics! Now, here’s some links to learn more:

http://www.ilc.org/cfmx/GED/GED_sample_m2.cfm?Menu_ID_Sel=35200&Lang_Sel=1
http://www.ket.org/GED2002/Mathcalc/Mathcalc1.htm

For more information on the GED test and GED test preparation visit the GED Academy at http://www.passGED.com.