The tutor points out a surprise that dogged him, for a couple of minutes, with the Casio fx-260solar.

For physics or chemistry calculations, scientific notation is handy.  Let’s imagine you want to know what 0.8c is, in metres per second.  Of course, c is the speed of light:

c=3.00×10⁸m/s

Then, 0.8c, in metres per second, is 0.8(3.00×10⁸)=2.4×10⁸m/s.

Often, a calculator not in scientific mode will give the answer as 240000000. While correct, this answer is difficult to read and probably will not resemble the answer offered in a multiple choice question. A multiple choice question will likely offer the number in scientific notation: 2.4×10⁸.

Most scientific calculators have a SCI mode you can enter so that the calculator will give every answer in scientific notation. Some do it in a SETUP menu, some with a MODE button. I’m sure there are yet other ways on other models.

The Casio fx-260solar has a MODE button. It lists above the keyboard the various modes to choose from, with a number assigned to each. For instance: to go into RAD mode, you key in MODE 5. To return to DEG mode, you key in MODE 4.

The MODE list indicates that, for SCI mode, it’s MODE 8. Yet, on my Casio fx-260solar calculators, MODE 8 doesn’t put you into SCI mode. Yesterday, I had a couple of disconcerting moments dealing with this situation. What I soon discovered was, you need to press 8 twice: MODE 8 8 will get you into SCI mode. On the three Casio fx-260solar calculators I’ve tried, this is how to get into SCI mode.

Most of the modes in the list seem to require you to press the number only once – with the exception of 8 (for SCI, as just described), and 7 (for FIX, which I’ll probably cover in a coming post).

To get out of SCI, into NORM (normal) mode, I just press MODE 9.

I’ll be talking more about the Casio fx-260solar in future posts:)

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