Calculator usage: The Sharp EL-520W Equation Solver

Tutoring math, I continue to discover new functions on calculators.  The tutor gives a brief introduction to the Sharp EL-520W equation solver.

 
Let’s imagine you need to solve the equation

5x2 – x – 6 = 0

The roots (aka answers) happen to be -1 and 1.2. Let’s see what the solver says:

Step 1: Press Mode 0

Step 2: Enter the equation, using alpha rcl to key the x. Press = at the end, but not 0. A value (-6, for example) might appear at the bottom of the screen; just ignore it.

Step 3: Press math, after which you’ll see the SOLV option with a blinking 0 underneath. Press 0.

Step 4: The calculator will ask for a start value. If you have no idea, you might choose 0, then press =. Now it asks dx?, which (I think) means the step value it should use as it searches for the answer. Just press = again to go with the step size it suggests.

Step 5: The screen should say calculating!. Within a few seconds, it will offer an answer.

The equation in this example has two answers. If you chose a start value of 0, the answer you see is likely -1. If you return to Step 3 now, pressing math and so on, but selecting 1 as the start value, you’ll receive the other answer: 1.2.

HTH:)

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.

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