The document discusses how to use a calculator effectively by following the proper order of operations. It explains that calculators may give different answers depending on the order terms are entered due to differences in how calculators evaluate expressions. The proper order of operations is BODMAS: Brackets, Orders (Exponents), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. Examples are provided to illustrate the importance of the order of operations and using brackets to evaluate multi-step calculations correctly on a calculator.

1. October 4, 2012
Using a calculator effectively
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2. Explanation October 4, 2012
If you perform the calculation 2 + 4 × 3 on a calculator,
you may get the answer 18, or the answer 14.
This is because the calculation may
be performed according to the order
in which the numbers are typed in, so
2 + 4 × 3 = 18
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3. Explanation October 4, 2012
If you perform the calculation 2 + 4 × 3 on a calculator,
you may get the answer 18, or the answer 14.
This is because the calculation may
be performed according to the order
in which the letters are typed in, so
2 + 4 × 3 = 18
or your calculator may follow the
rules of maths, and do the
multiplication first, so
2 + (4 × 3) = 14
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4. Explanation October 4, 2012
When you see a sum involving more than one
calculation, it has do be done in a particular order.
Remembering the word BODMAS may help you…
This means that the order you perform the operations in
a calculation is always
rackets.
rders of, or pOwer.
ivide.
ultiply.
dd.
ubtract.
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5. Example October 4, 2012
It is very important to learn which way the calculator you
are using works.
On your calculator, press the buttons in this order..
1 + 2 × 4 =
Did you get the incorrect answer 12, or the correct
answer, 9?
How might you change the following sequence, to make
sure that you got the correct answer?
3 − 2 × 6 =
There are various ways, but one is to add brackets.
3 − ( 2 × 6 ) = -9
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6. Explanation October 4, 2012
Powers can be found using the buttons
x 2
or x y
or sometimes x
The root of a number can be found using the buttons
or x or sometimes
Roots should be considered “powers”, or “orders of” in
the BODMAS sequence.
You may find it useful to use the memory of your
calculator. Familiarise yourself with the memory buttons.
You may use
STO and RCL or M+ and MR
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7. Practise October 4, 2012
Use your calculator to work out the following…
3²
9 64
8 -2 ²
4 121
11 3²
2 (10– 4)
(-1.4 × -4.3) + (-5.2 × 2)
-4.38 12.1
5.2 – 4.3 + 11.2
2.86 × 62 d.p. -3.9 + 1.4
-2 to -0.05 4.6 ² – 2.4 ²
26.92 4.6 ³ – 2.1 ⁴
116.7841
-1.4 × 3 5
8.2 ² to ²
9.60+ 52 d.p. (2.9238.328 3.1 ³
+ 6.4 – )
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