F1, F2, F3, and F4 (the arrow keys) are prominent on the Sharp EL-520W; the tutor introduces their use.

I’ve always wondered what F1, F2, F3, and F4 do on the Sharp EL-520W. It turns out they can be used to store formulas.

Example 1: Store, in F3, the formula for the surface area of a cylinder,

2π r^2 + 2πrh

Solution: The alpha keys may not include both r and h; furthermore, they’re caps. We’ll have to rewrite the formula, perhaps with A as the radius and B as the height:

2πA^2 + 2πAB

Now we key in the formula, first pressing the ALPHA key before each letter. For instance, to key A, press ALPHA CNST; B is ALPHA y^x.

When  2πA^2 + 2πAB is typed across the screen, press STO then F3.

Example 2: Assume the formula 2πA^2 + 2πAB is stored in F3. Find the result when A=6.5 and B=7.

Solution:

First, we need to store 6.5 in A and 7 in B:

Key in 6.5 STO CNST (no ALPHA needed), then 7 STO y^x.

Now, to evaluate, key RCL then F3 then =. Hopefully you receive the answer 551.3495107 across the screen.

HTH:)

Source:

Sharp Scientific Calculator Model EL-520W Operation Manual.

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