The large Natural Textbook Display shows mathematical expressions like roots and fractions as they appear in your textbooks which increases comprehension because results are easier to understand. If you require any further information relating to the Delivery service used, please call us at +44 (0)20 8208 9567. As I mentioned previously, lots of functions – too many to list here – now require more key presses than they did before. A particularly annoying one is nCr (to calculate the number of combinations of r items chosen from a set of n – used in binomial expansion and the binomial probability distribution). Previously it was the Shift function above the ÷ key, but now it takes the following series of key presses to get to the same place: Another one that’s been brought to my attention: the functionality of the button has been changed so that it no longer “attaches” itself to the preceding number. It’s not actually wrong but it’s a change that will be very confusing for many students! The new A-level specification required the candidate to use a calculator featuring certain statistical functions that the GCSE model didn’t have, so the new standard model for A-level was the Classwiz fx-991EX. This also included some additional functions to help with solving equations, so it could be useful for GCSE too.

Ihavethatcalculator.Youdoknowthatwhenitgivesyouafractionasananswertheisabuttonyoucanpresstoconvertthefractionalanswerintoanumericalvalue??

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Example: ( sin -1 *) * Indicates the function that is accessed by the key operation ( ) before it. Note that this is not part of the actual key operation you perform. Our nominated carrier is Parcel Force. Deliveries are made Monday – Friday between 9.00am – 6.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays). From the comments I’ve seen on social media from other Maths teachers, I’m far from alone in having a strong preference for the older Classwiz fx-83/85GT X and 991EX models over these new CW calculators. Casio doesn’t appear to have done much field testing of the new models before launching them on the world! The A-level model now has the generic equation solver function in the same place as the quadratic and simultaneous equation solvers, rather than in an apparently random position above the CALC button. There’s no S-D button for simple conversion of results between fractions and decimals. The answer always defaults to a fraction, and to get it into decimal format you have to either (a) press FORMAT, use the arrow keys to select the preferred format and press OK or EXE, or (b) press Shift then EXE to get a decimal approximation (i.e. rounded decimal form) – but the latter option will only work correctly if pressing EXE doesn’t prompt the calculator to carry out another calculation.

Pressing the displays an options screen. The options screen shows functions that can be used in a calculation. The functions listed on the options screen depend on the calculation mode. I'vetriedthewholeSHIFT-->MODE-->2:LineIOthingandallitgivesmeisthefractionagain,seperatedbyacomma(e.g39,12500). The Casio FX-83GT X is a calculator designed for general mathematical calculations. It features a large, easy-to-read display that shows up to 10 digits, allowing for clear and precise calculations. The calculator is equipped with a range of functions, including basic arithmetic operations, percentage calculations, and square root calculations, making it suitable for various mathematical tasks. For more information on what calculators are permissible in exams, take a look at my Clueless about Calculators blog post. Finally, a colour warning Thisisreallyannoyingme,themanualisconfusingandeverythingpeopletellmetodoisn'tworking?Surelyyoudon'thavetoworkwithstupidlysmallnumbersinfractionsallthetime?The keypad has been shifted by pressing the key. The keypad will unshift and this indicator will disappear when you press a key. The Casio FX-83GT X is a scientific calculator that is designed for use in both the classroom and at home. It has a clear and vivid display that makes it easy to read the input, output and calculations. The display measures approximately 63mm x 23mm with a total of 10 digits, which allows a clear view of all calculations. Ishouldalsoaddthathavingitgiveananswerinfractionformbydefaultcanbeuseful(eginmaths/Physetcyoumaybeaskedtospecifyananswer'exactly'ieasurdorfractionratherthanroundeddecimalvalue),ivastlypreferitnowthatimusedtoit. In short, the new CW calculators are a lot more complicated to use than the older X models, and don’t offer any significant improvements that I can see. Sept 2023: A fellow Maths tutor on Facebook recently had a meeting with a Casio representative to discuss these new models. We are told that the intention was to make them more like a phone to use (though I find it hard to see much resemblance myself) and that younger children who aren’t already accustomed to a particular scientific calculator layout have adapted well to its use. However, we are talking about 11-year-olds, and I find it hard to imagine that they’ve been using many of the functions needed for Higher GCSE and A-level Maths!

The following shows an example of how an alternate function operation is represented in this manual. Until the current GCSE and A-level specifications came in (2015 and 2017 respectively), the standard calculator in most English schools for both GCSE and A-level for a good few years had been the Casio fx-83GT Plus – or the fx-85GT Plus, which was exactly the same except that it had a solar panel as well as battery power. Example: (Input/Output) * Indicates the menu item that is selected by the number key operation ( ) before it. Note that this is not part of the actual key operation you perform.The alpha input mode has been entered by pressing the key. The alpha input mode will be exited and this indicator will disappear when you press a key. Remember I mentioned that a graphical calculator is much more complex to operate than a scientific one? The CW models have narrowed that gap considerably – and not in a good way! Casio describes the fx-83GT CW as “the new upgraded version of the Casio fx-83GT X” and the fx-991CW as “the new upgraded version of the Casio fx-991 EX”. That seems misleading to me, when the models are so completely different. It would be far more honest to call them “the replacement for” their predecessors. Of course, graphing software is an extremely useful teaching and learning tool, but Desmos is free and much more intuitive to use than a graphical calculator, and Autograph, also available free, is a very powerful alternative, so in my opinion there’s really no need for a graphical calculator. So what do I need to know about these new CW calculators?

The cursor key is marked with four arrows, indicating direction, as shown in the illustration nearby. In this manual, cursor key operation is indicated as , , , and . This indicator is displayed while the calculator is being powered directly by its solar cells, either entirely or in some combination with the battery. (fx-85GT X only) The following shows an example of how a key operation to select an on-screen menu item is represented in this manual. The calculator is standing by for input of a variable name to assign a value to the variable. This indicator appears after you press . Complete the short form that accompanies your product. Please ensure that you complete all of the sections, as this will guarantee the timely processing of your return/exchange.The Casio fx-83GT CW ClassWiz is the new upgraded version of the Casio fx-83GT X (the UK’s best-selling scientific calculator), containing additional features, to include a high definition display and improved menu navigation. Allowed in every UK exam where a calculator can be used. Recommended and approved for Key Stages 3 & 4 (including GCSE, National and Higher, Junior and Leaving). Some schools and colleges required, and some still require, their A-level students to buy more expensive graphical calculators – calculators that can plot graphs on their screens, such as the CG50 – since these are often perceived to give the student an advantage. This may well have been true in the past, but the exam boards have got wise and nowadays exam questions are carefully worded so that the possession of a graphical calculator doesn’t give the candidate a significant advantage.