Calculator Use: Scientific Notation on the Sharp EL-520W

Tutoring physics or chemistry, solutions to problems are often given in scientific notation.  The tutor asks, “Is your calculator set conveniently?”

Let’s imagine you have a physics problem whose solution is given by the following calculation:

v = √(1.55×10-9)

Of course, the answer is 3.94×10-5. However, your calculator might give 0.0000394, which is the same number but in normal (aka, float) notation. Likely, the answer key is in scientific notation. If your calculator gives the float version, you need to decide if your answer matches with the key. You might “count back” the decimal places in order to compare the two answers.

Among my students, the Sharp scientific is the most popular. If you want it to automatically give all answers in scientific notation, you can, by doing the following:

First, press the SET UP key. You will see DRG FSE TAB. Under DRG will be a flashing number. Press the right arrow key to get to FSE. Now, the number under it will be flashing. Press=, then right arrow to get to SCI. Press =. The calculator returns to the regular screen, but it’s in scientific display now. Even the calculation 8×3=24 will display the answer 2.4000000×101, which you may not want. However, with Physics 12, the scientific display is probably more convenient overall.

Let’s suppose you want to switch back to regular display. Press SETUP, then right arrow over to FSE, then press =. Next, arrow over to NORM1 (which you can’t see at first, but it’s three steps over), then press=. You’re back in normal display.

In future posts I’ll explore the scientific display on other calculators:)

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

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