ABSTRACT
At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
• use a calculator to add, subtract, multiply and divide decimal numbers • use a calculator to evaluate square, cube, reciprocal, power, root and ×10x functions • use a calculator to evaluate expressions containing fractions and trigonometric functions • use a calculator to evaluate expressions containing π and ex functions • appreciate errors and approximations in calculations • evaluate formulae, given values
In engineering, calculations often need to be performed. For simple numbers it is useful to be able to use mental arithmetic. However, when numbers are larger an electronic calculator needs to be used. There are several calculators on the market, many of which will be satisfactory for our needs. It is essential to have a scientific notation calculatorwhichwill have all the necessary functions needed and more. This chapter assumes you have a CASIO fx-991ES PLUS calculator, or similar, as shown in Figure 4.1. Besides straightforward addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, which you will already be able to do, we will check that you can use squares, cubes, powers, reciprocals, roots, fractions and trigonometric functions (the latter in preparation for Chapter 38).
