Casio fx-85GTX Scientific Calculator, Black

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The A-level models have additional functions such as solving quadratics and simultaneous equations which can be useful at GCSE too, as well as Statistics functions that you don’t need until A-level. So if there’s any chance of you continuing with Maths beyond GCSE then it’s a worthwhile investment. (You’ll probably need it if you do Core Maths too, though it does depend on which board and which modules you study. It – or an equivalent – is certainly required for the Statistical Techniques option on the AQA spec.) This model has the benefit of a large display and, more importantly for me as I get older, a much better lit display that makes it easier on my eyes. Schools should be telling you to get the CW now since that’s the current model, but some haven’t caught up yet and are still telling students to buy the GTX – which is now hard to get hold of new at a reasonable price. The same thing happened when the GTX replaced the GT Plus.

The display on the calculator allows for more readable sums, fractions for example allow you to actually see one number abover the other one instead of using some weird symbol like the calculators when I was at school. 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! functions; new functions on the ‘GTX’ model include Ratio, Digit Separator, Advanced Statistics, Advanced Tables and Variables List 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.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. Natural Textbook Display (Natural-V.P.A.M), shows mathematical expressions as they appear in textbooks. It’s also worth considering an A-level model, especially if you’re doing the Higher Tier and there’s a possibility that you might continue to study Maths in some form beyond GCSE.

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.When the new specifications came in, Casio brought out new upgraded calculators called the Classwiz series. The GCSE model was the Classwiz fx 83/85GT X, and included a few extra features that the GT Plus didn’t have, although the GT Plus was (and is) still perfectly adequate for GCSE. The display is certainly not like the one I had in school as it shows the calculation on the top row with the answer on the bottom which is brilliant as any mistakes can be easily seen. AtthemomentallmyanswersarecomingoutasfractionsandfractionsareuselesstomeasIneedallmynumbersindecimals.HowdoIgetittogivemedecimalanswersbydefault?IknowIcanpressthefraction->decimalbuttonbutthatgetskindaannoyingwhenyouhavetopressit everytime. If you have the older GT Plus then it will still do everything you need for GCSE, so don’t worry about that! For more information on what calculators are permissible in exams, take a look at my Clueless about Calculators blog post. Finally, a colour warning