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This is the first round for series of posts about optimizing the use of calculator in solving math problems. The calculator techniques I am presenting here has been known to many students who are about to take the engineering board exam. Using it will save you plenty of time and use that time in analyzing more complex problems. The following models of CASIO calculator may work with these methods: fx-570ES, fx-570ES Plus, fx-115ES, fx-115ES Plus, fx-991ES, and fx-991ES Plus. This post will focus on progression progression. To illustrate the use of calculator, we will have sample problems to solve. But before that, note the following calculator keys and the corresponding operation:
Name Shift
Key
Operation
SHIFT
Name (Sigma)
Key
Operation
SHIFT log
Mode
MODE
Solve
SHIFT CALC
Alpha
ALPHA
Logical equals
ALPHA CALC
Stat
SHIFT 1[STAT]
Exponent
x[]
AC
AC
Problem: Arithmetic Progression The 6th term of an arithmetic progression is 12 and the 30th term is 180. 1. What is the common difference of the sequence? 2. Determine the first term? 3. Find the 52nd term. 4. If the nth term is 250, find n. 5. Calculate the sum of the first 60 terms. 6. Compute for the sum between 12th and 37th terms, inclusive. Traditional Solution For a little background about Arithmetic Progression, the traditional way of solving this problem is presented here.
common difference
first term
52nd term
Sum of the first 60 terms answer Sum between 12th and 37th terms, inclusive.
answer
Bring your calculator to Linear Regression in STAT mode: MODE 3:STAT 2:A+BX and input the coordinates.
X (for n) 6 30
in front of y-caret.
1y-caret = -23 answer for the first term
To find the 52nd term, and again AC 52 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 5:y-caret and make sure you place 52 in front of y-caret.
52y-caret = 334 answer for the 52nd term
To find the common difference, solve for any term adjacent to a given term, say 7th term because the 6th term is given then do 7y-caret - 12 = 7 for d. For some fun, randomly subtract any two adjacent terms like 18y-caret - 17y-caret, etc. Try it! Sum of Arithmetic Progression by Calculator Sum of the first 60 terms:
AC SHIFT log[] ALPHA )[X] SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 5:y-caret SHIFT )[,] 1 SHIFT )[,] 60 )
The calculator will display (Xy-caret,1,60) then press [=]. (Xy-caret,1,60) = 11010 answer Sum from 12th to 37th terms,
(Xy-caret,12,37) = 3679 answer
Another way to solve for the sum is to use the calculation outside the STAT mode. The concept is to add each term in the progression. Any term in the progression is given by an = a1 + (n - 1)d. In this problem, a1 = -23 and d = 7, thus, our equation for an is an = -23 + (n - 1)(7). Reset your calculator into general calculation mode: MODE 1:COMP then SHIFT log.
Or you can do
Or you may do
Solution by Calculator Why AB^X? The nth term formula an = a1rn 1 for geometric progression is exponential in form, the variable n in the formula is the X equivalent in the calculator.
MODE 3:STAT 6:AB^X
X 1 2 3
Y 2 6 18
To solve for n,
AC 9565938 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret 9565938x-caret = 15 answer
You may also sove the sum outside the STAT mode (MODE 1:COMP then SHIFT log[]) Each term which is given by an = a1rn 1.
(2(3ALPHA
X - 1))
= 59048
answer
Or you may do
(2 3ALPHA X) = 59048
X 1 2 3
Y 6 3 2
answer
I hope you find this post helpful. With some practice, you will get familiar with your calculator and the methods we present here. I encourage you to do some practice, once you grasp it, you can easily solve basic problems in progression. If you have another way of using your calculator for solving progression problems, please share it to us. We will be happy to have variety of ways posted here. You can use the comment form below to do it. - See more at: http://www.mathalino.com/blog/romel-verterra/solving-progression-problemscalculator#sthash.HdtzRdds.dpuf