Casio fx-85GTX Scientific Calculator, Black

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thereshoulfbeabuttononyourcalculatorwhichlookssomethinglikeS<->D.sowhenyougetanansweranditsinfractionspressthatbuttonanditconvertsittodecimalsandnormalnumbers.Hopethathelps 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. 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. The really brilliant thing about this Calculator is that it displays your workings just as you would write them down on a piece of paper in school.

Are you in need of a scientific calculator? Well, with the new and upgraded version of the Casio FX-83GT X, this calculator includes additional features and a high definition display as well as an improved UI. AtthemomentallmyanswersarecomingoutasfractionsandfractionsareuselesstomeasIneedallmynumbersindecimals.HowdoIgetittogivemedecimalanswersbydefault?IknowIcanpressthefraction->decimalbuttonbutthatgetskindaannoyingwhenyouhavetopressit everytime. The Casio fx-991EX is Casio’s most advanced scientific calculator, providing 552 functions and is suitable for Key Stages 3,4 and 5, to include A /AS level.

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 standard GCSE model in the UK for the past seven or eight years has been the Casio Classwiz fx-83/85GT X (centre in the image), though in early 2023 Casio brought out the fx-83/85GT CW, which is very different and which has replaced the GT X (despite a poor reception from UK Maths teachers). More on that in this blog post.

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! 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. 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. For more information on what calculators are permissible in exams, take a look at my Clueless about Calculators blog post. Finally, a colour warningIf you have exams coming up, then this calculator can be used. It is recommended and approved for Key Stages 3 and 4, which includes GCSE, National and Higher, Junior and Leaving. Gain a better understanding of mathematical expressions on the display screen, for example; roots and fractions as they appear in your textbooks, this will increase your comprehension because the results are easier to understand and in plain sight. functions; new functions on the ‘GTX’ model include Ratio, Digit Separator, Advanced Statistics, Advanced Tables and Variables List fx-85GTX contains additional features such as clearer display, clearer menus, faster processor and 14 additional functions. 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). The large Natural Textbook Display (Natural-V.P.A.M.) shows mathematical expressions like roots and fractions as they appear in your textbooks which increases comprehension because results are easier to understand.

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.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:

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. 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! Our nominated carrier is Parcel Force. Deliveries are made Monday – Friday between 9.00am – 6.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays).A lot of schools/colleges haven’t caught up with the change yet and are still telling students to buy the X versions, so at least yours is on the ball! Natural Textbook Display (Natural-V.P.A.M), shows mathematical expressions as they appear in textbooks. 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. Nice large clear display, a sliding case that you can slide on and use the calculator, so doesn't get lost. Thanks for these incredibly helpful articles (‘Clueless about calculators?’ and ‘The new Casio Classwiz CW calculators’). I’m still using my beloved 1980s Casio fx-451 scientific calculator (which has absolutely minimal key presses even compared with the Casio Classwiz fx-83/85GT models: even the S-D button is an ‘extra-step annoyance’ for me). But I really need to be up-to-speed on today’s calculators as my own children, let alone my tutorial students, move into GCSEs and beyond. I feel so much more informed on the topic. Much appreciated.