Calculator usage: finding the derivative with the Sharp EL-520W
The tutor shares how to find the derivative with the Sharp EL-520W.
To my knowledge, the Sharp EL-520W won’t give the symbolic derivative. Rather (as you’d likely expect anyway), it evaluates a function’s derivative at the x value the user provides. For instance:
Example 1: Find the value of the derivative of 5x3 – 2x when x=7.
Solution:
- Press ON/C to clear the calculator.
- Enter the function by keying 5 ALPHA RCL x3 – 2 ALPHA RCL
- Key in 2ndF ∫dx
- The calculator responds with X? For this case, we key in 7, then =
- The calculator now asks the size of dx. I just press = again.
- Hopefully d/dx= 733 appears.
I think you’ll agree that calculating a derivative is easy with the SHARP EL-520W.
Make sure, if you’re evaluating a trig derivative, you’re set to rads! (2nd . to change trig mode:)
I’ll be expanding on this topic in future posts:)
Source:
Sharp Scientific Calculator Model EL-520W Operation Manual.
Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.
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