You will not survive this unless your math skills are up to snuff. The purpose of this worksheet is to refresh your basic math and algebra skills. Do not rush through it. You may work together, but do not give away or accept answers. You should all be absolutely certain that you can do these problems. You also need to practice using your calculators correctly.
Calculator:
You MUST be able to properly use your calculator in order to be successful in a science class. Your scientific calculator is more than adequate for the arithmetic you will need to do, assuming you know how to use it. In addition to the 4 standard functions (+, –, /, x) there are several functions with which you might not be as familiar. For this course, you will need to be able to use your scientific notation key, exponent key, log and inverse log keys (both natural and base–10), and your sign–change key (±). There are TONS of other keys on your calculator, some of which may or may not be useful, but those listed above are required.
Please find the following keys on your calculators, describe where they are on your calculator, what they look like, and then answer the questions:
Example:
: It’s above the 3rd key (x2) in 2nd full row from the top and looks like . It is a 2nd function.
Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:
16
–8.5
Sign–change (±):
Scientific notation:
Which key you have: ____________ Do you need to hit “2nd” or “shift” to use it? YES / NO
Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:
Exponent:
Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:
223
Logarithm (log):
Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:
log 723
Inverse logarithm (10x):
Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:
103.91
negative inverse log of 11.71
10–7.84
Natural log (ln):
Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:
ln 723
ln 2.671x10–4
–ln 1.8x10–5
Inverse natural log (e):
Write the key combination you need to in order to enter the following numbers and then answer:
e3.91
e –7.84
Entering Calculations in your Calculator:
As simple as it might seem to enter calculations into your calculator, there are several easy mistakes that can lead to incorrect answers. The most common of these mistakes involves entering multiplication and division. One of the methods of problem solving that we are going to focus on this semester is called dimensional analysis, which involves setting up successive ratios in a line and then entering values into your calculator . A typical set–up might look like this:
There are several right and wrong ways to put this into your calculator. The easiest way is to use the key if the value that you are entering is on the TOP of the fraction line and use the key if the value that you are entering is on the BOTTOM of the fraction line. Leaving the “1”s out for clarity, here is how you would enter this: 0.01661 2000 453.59 0.789 29.57 32
top top top bottom bottom bottom
The second option is to use parentheses for the denominator. Again, leaving out the “1”s for clarity, you could enter the calculation as follows: 0.01661 2000 453.59 0.789 29.57 32 Either one of these methods will give you the correct answer. Please try both of these methods in your calculator now and write your answer here:________________
Now for the wrong way. The most common wrong way to enter this would be: 0.01661 2000 453.59 0.789 29.57 32 which is basically the second option above, but without parentheses. Enter this into your calculator and answer here___________.
Notice that this last method does not give the same answer as the first two did. You must choose a method that will give you the correct answer and you must practice it!
Enter the following into your calculator and report your answer on the line provided: