- Current section: Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- 1 Exploring your calculator
- 2 Using your calculator for basic arithmetic
- 3 Some calculator puzzles
- 4 Squares and other powers
- 5 Everyday calculations
- 6 Large and small numbers
- 7 Mathematical functions
- 8 Why a calculator?
- 9 When to use the calculator
- 10 Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
from The Open University
Alternatively you can skip the navigation by pressing 'Enter'.
Tapping into mathematics
Do you have a graphics or scientific calculator? If so, this unit...
Do you have a graphics or scientific calculator? If so, this unit will help you to understand the different functions and facilities available. With a focus on arithmetic, you will learn what a powerful tool this type of calculator can be.
By the end of this unit you should have:
- started to become familiar with your scientific or graphics calculator and its use in investigating everyday problems;
- developed good practice in relation to calculator use;
- be able to use your calculator for the following:
- arithmetic involving the operations of +, −, ×, ÷ and the use of brackets;
- squaring and square rooting numbers;
- reciprocals and powers of numbers;
- calculations involving percentages, large and small numbers, scientific notation and ;
- be able to understand the concepts of a mathematical function and its inverse (doing and undoing), rounding answers appropriately, fixing the number of decimal places displayed by a calculator, storing numbers in a calculator memory.
- Duration: 5 hours
- Published on: Monday 11th April 2011
- Level: Introductory
- Posted under: Mathematics Education
Contents
Tapping into mathematics
Introduction

This module is designed for students who have a graphics or scientific calculator. It gives some examples from the TI-84. So if you have a different calculator, some things may be a little different and you may need to consult your instruction booklet. There is a lot to learn about any calculator and it may take you some time to get to know how to use its many facilities. This module focuses on using it to do arithmetic. Even in this limited role, you will find it a powerful tool with many advantages. Depending upon your previous experience using a calculator, this module may take you more or less time than others.
If you intend to register for the Open University's MU120 course you will need to purchase the TI-84 calculator, however, you will still be able to complete this unit by using any other graphic or scientific calculator.
This unit is an adapted extract from the Open University course Using mathematics (MST121) [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]
Other pages You might like

Try: English: Personal Experiences
How has the English language influenced your life? How would you define your relationship...

Try: Revision and examinations
Do you get stressed at the thought of an examination? Does the idea of revision fill you...

Study: Graduate Diploma in Mathematics...
If you’re teaching maths, but without a specialist background, this diploma will help...

Try: Learning to learn: Planning for...
Explores academic theories and acts as a guide to help you establish where you want to go...

Try: Using film music in the classroom
There are many approaches to using film music in the classroom, including: a focus on...

Try: Geography in education: exploring a...
This unit is aimed at geography teachers, or those with an interest in studying or...

Try: Democracy? You think you know?
Participating in the democratic processes is seen as being a fundamental aspect of...

Try: Rounding and estimation
Scientific calculators are a wonderful invention, but they're only as good as the people...

Try: Essay and report writing skills
Writing reports and assignments can be a daunting prospect. This unit is designed to help...

Try: School geography: Exploring a definition
This unit explores school geography, focusing upon how geography is currently being...

Try: Modelling static problems
This unit lays the foundation of the subject of mechanics. Mechanics is concerned with...

Try: First-order differential equations
This unit introduces the topic of differential equations. The subject is developed...
Comments
Be the first to post a comment
Copyright & revisions
Copyright information
- Creative-Commons: The Open University is proud to release this free course under a Creative Commons licence. However, any third-party materials featured within it are used with permission and are not ours to give away. These materials are not subject to the Creative Commons licence. See terms and conditions. Full details can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
Feeds
If you enjoyed this, why not follow a feed to find out when we have new things like it? Choose an RSS feed from the list below. (Don't know what to do with RSS feeds?)
Remember, you can also make your own, personal feed by combining tags from around OpenLearn.
Alternative Formats
Tags, Ratings and Social Bookmarking
Keep secrets or share data?
Have you tried our free courses?
Free stuff to your door
OU TV & Radio
-
Click: A Route 66 of the future - Ep 4BBC World Service
Wednesday 2:32 -
Click: A Route 66 of the future - Ep 4BBC World Service
Wednesday 9:32 -
Thinking Allowed: DianaBBC Radio 4
Wednesday 16:00 -
Airport Live, Episode 3BBC Two
Wednesday 20:00 -
Airport Live, Episode 4BBC Two
Thursday 20:00
Views
Votes
Comments
Tags
- climate change (374)
- business (277)
- diaries (194)
- bottom line (169)
- food (168)
- Rough Science (162)
- BBC Two (150)
- BBC Radio 4 (149)
- internet (145)
- BBC (136)
- listings (122)
- Scotland (121)
- points for debate (120)
- Bang goes the Theory (116)
- children (116)
- Creative Climate (116)
- English Civil War (115)
- Thinking Allowed (109)
- astronomy (108)
- religion (98)
- marketing (95)
- 20th century (94)
- Charles I (93)
- communication (92)
- evolution (91)
- research (89)
- sustainability (89)
- architecture (85)
- energy (83)
- Charles Darwin (78)
OpenLearn Links
Copyrighted imageCredit: Background image Lucian Milasan | Dreamstime.com 

