Calculator Questions

Calculator questions There will almost certainly be a calculator question on the calculator paper. It is usually 2 marks and then another mark is usually given for writing the answer as 3 significant figures – remember this is not the same as the number of decimal places! Example Use your calculator to work out the value of: 8.75 + 7.83 2.03 + 1.45 Solution The best way to approach this is the use brackets and let the calculator do the work! Put brackets around the top expression (numerator) and then brackets around the bottom expression (denominator) So type in: (8.75 +

Make sure you have a recent VPAM calculator - the best way to tell is to type in the square root [√] then [4] and [=] if the answer is 2 then you have a VPAM calculator; if not, recycle it and borrow a newer one.

7.83 ) ÷ (2.03 + 1.45) =

The answer will be 3.318452217 or (3.32 to 3 significant figures)

Now try these Write down the full answer (and then the answer to 3 significant figures). 1.

8.75 + 1.83 6.03 + 1.45

Full answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 significant figures: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.

6.73 + 17.83 2.23 + 0.45

Full answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 significant figures: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.

0.75 + 3.83 12.03 × 7.45

Full answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Answers 1. 1.350638359 (1.35) 2. 4.086775547 (4.09) 3. 0.030204562 (0.0302) Recall that only zeros that are ‘sandwiched’ are counted.

3 significant figures: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calculator questions

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