Skip to content
Skip to main content
header search
ahihi OpenLearn
OpenLearn
Menu
sticky search

About this free course

Become an OU student

Download this course

Share this free course

Course content Course content
Using a scientific calculator
Using a scientific calculator

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.

More free courses

3 Using your calculator for fractions

When your calculator is in Math mode, as recommended, fractions are entered using the button in the left-hand column of the function key area of the calculator keypad. This displays a fraction ‘template’ on the display – as shown in Figure 8 below – that contains boxes that need to be ‘filled in’. When the button is first pressed, the cursor is located in the top box ready for you to enter the numerator. To move to the bottom box to enter the denominator, use the cursor down key . If there are further parts of a calculation to be entered when the template has been completed, the right cursor key can be used to move out of the denominator in preparation for the input of the rest of the calculation.

The figure shows the display on a calculator screen.
Figure 8 A fraction template
Show description|Hide description

The top row of the screen contains the letter D (white text on black) in the centre, and the word ‘math’ towards the right end. The second row of the screen contains the outline of a fraction consisting of a raised small empty box over a division line with another small empty box beneath the division line.

Figure 8 A fraction template

Remember, your calculator is in Math mode if the word Math is shown at the top of the calculator display. If your calculator is not in Math mode, repeat the steps of Activity 1.

Mixed numbers such as can be entered similarly using the mixed number template obtained using the key sequence . This template provides three boxes to fill, one for the whole number part, and one each for the numerator and denominator of the fractional part.

Any fractional answers to calculations will automatically be displayed in lowest terms.

Activity 7 Fractions

Use your calculator to:

  1. express in its simplest form
  2. calculate of 190.

Answer

  2. of 190 can be written , which is equal to or 71.25.

    The decimal answer can be obtained by using .

    Remember to use the cursor right key to move the cursor out of the denominator of the fraction before entering the multiplication sign. If you obtained the answer , you calculated by mistake.

You may have noticed that the results of both these exercises were displayed on the calculator as top-heavy fractions. This is the default behaviour of the calculator in Math mode. You can toggle between a top-heavy fraction and its mixed number equivalent using the key sequence .

The default behaviour of the calculator can be changed as follows:

  • To set the calculator to use mixed numbers by default, use the key sequence (SETUP)(ab/c).
  • To set the calculator to use improper or top-heavy fractions by default, use the key sequence (SETUP) (d/c).

Here, the key is used to access part of the on-screen menu that is not initially visible.

Activity 8 Mixed numbers

Use your calculator to:

  1. express as a mixed number in its simplest form
  2. express as a top-heavy fraction.

Answer

  1. Remember to use to toggle between the top-heavy fraction and mixed number answers.

  2. Remember to use the template obtained using and to use the cursor arrow keys to move between the boxes when inputting the mixed number.