What model calculator do you use for A level Maths?

Original post by Philip-flop

Just wondering what calculator some of you people use for A-level Maths?

I'm using a CASIO fx-85GT PLUS but was wondering what calculators you would recommend.

Are we allowed calculators that can work out quadratic equations?

Hi there. I use a Casio fx-991ES Plus, and a lot of people I know use that too. You can use any Scientific Clauclator for A Level Maths as I don't it would make a difference. If you want to know about which calculators you can use, it usually says at the front of a C2 paper which calculators students ARE NOT allowed to use. Hope this helps :smile:

Reply 3

Joinedup

20

http://www.poundland.co.uk/scientific-calculator

buy two in case the first one breaks :smile:

Reply 4

thebrahmabull

14

Any calculator is allowed unless it can do symbolic algebra manipulation

Reply 5

Original post by Philip-flop

Are we allowed calculators that can work out quadratic equations?

Yes.

Reply 6

Philip-flop

OP

Thanks guys. I know you can use a calculator to work out a quadratic equation using the quadratic formula but, is there a way of using a calculator to help factorise a quadratic equation? (Sorry if I sound like such a newbie, I'm a mature student and have only been learning A-level Maths since October but before this I hadn't studied Maths since I was at school 7 years ago!!)

Reply 7

Original post by Philip-flop

Thanks guys. I know you can use a calculator to work out a quadratic equation using the quadratic formula but, is there a way of using a calculator to help factorise a quadratic equation? (Sorry if I sound like such a newbie, I'm a mature student and have only been learning A-level Maths since October but before this I hadn't studied Maths since I was at school 7 years ago!!)

Nope but here's an easy trick

Let's say you get x = -1, x = 5/3

All you have to do is rearrange to get 0 on one side, for each one

First one would be easy
(x+1) = 0

Second one:

x = 5/3
3x = 5
(3x - 5) = 0

Then multiply the two together to get your factorised quadratic

(x+1)(3x-5)=0

Reply 8

Original post by Philip-flop

Thanks guys. I know you can use a calculator to work out a quadratic equation using the quadratic formula but, is there a way of using a calculator to help factorise a quadratic equation? (Sorry if I sound like such a newbie, I'm a mature student and have only been learning A-level Maths since October but before this I hadn't studied Maths since I was at school 7 years ago!!)

The one I wrote about does, yes.

Reply 9

Original post by Philip-flop

Thanks guys. I know you can use a calculator to work out a quadratic equation using the quadratic formula but, is there a way of using a calculator to help factorise a quadratic equation? (Sorry if I sound like such a newbie, I'm a mature student and have only been learning A-level Maths since October but before this I hadn't studied Maths since I was at school 7 years ago!!)

If you put in a quadratic equation

x^2 + bx + c = 0

into your calculator and it tells you that the roots/solutions are

\alpha

and

\beta

, then your quadratic is factorised as

(x-\alpha)(x-\beta)

. If this sounds foreign to you, then let's try an example.

We have

x^2 -7x + 10 = 0

, plug this into your calculator. Your calculator will show you that the roots are

x=5

or

x=2

. This means that the quadratic factorises as

(x-5)(x-2)

.

Reply 10

Original post by Student403

...

4/5.

Reply 11

Original post by Zacken

4/5.

LaTeX makes everything look prettier <:

4.5/5 for you :biggrin:

Reply 12

@Philip-flop or you can use the quadratic equation.

Reply 13

Original post by ravioliyears

The one I wrote about does, yes.

I don't think it factorises. It gives you the x values

Reply 14

Original post by Philip-flop

Thanks guys. I know you can use a calculator to work out a quadratic equation using the quadratic formula but, is there a way of using a calculator to help factorise a quadratic equation? (Sorry if I sound like such a newbie, I'm a mature student and have only been learning A-level Maths since October but before this I hadn't studied Maths since I was at school 7 years ago!!)

Original post by ravioliyears

@Philip-flop or you can use the quadratic equation.

Do you mean quadratic formula? I think he knows that already. :smile:

Reply 15

Original post by Zacken

Do you mean quadratic formula? I think he knows that already. :smile:

Oh damn whoops

Reply 16

Philip-flop

OP

Original post by ravioliyears

The one I wrote about does, yes.

Hi ravioliyears,

So you're saying that the CASIO fx-991ESPLUS can factorise an equation for me?

For example:

3x^2 - 2x - 8 = 0

the calculator will give the following answer...

(3x + 4)(x - 2) = 0

or will the calculator just give the answers in terms of x...

x = - 4/3 , x = 2

I was never taught how to work out quadratics using a calculator back at school so have a huge gap in my knowledge. I just want to know how as I sometimes spend a long time trying to work them out in my head :frown:

Reply 17

Original post by Philip-flop

Hi ravioliyears,

So you're saying that the CASIO fx-991ESPLUS can factorise an equation for me?

For example:

3x^2 - 2x - 8 = 0

the calculator will give the following answer...

(3x + 4)(x - 2) = 0

or will the calculator just give the answers in terms of x...

x = - 4/3 , x = 2

I was never taught how to work out quadratics using a calculator back at school so have a huge gap in my knowledge. I just want to know how as I sometimes spend a long time trying to work them out in my head :frown:

The answer be given in terms of x. You'll need to rearrange.

Reply 18