Precalculus · Grade 12

Calculator

Use the handheld controls to calculate, graph and make a table. Choose a guide alongside it when you need a next step.

Spellman calculator

SC-12 · Scientific

RADIANS≈ approximate · = exact

Type a calculation, then press Enter. Try 2+3×4.

Your next step

Step-by-step help

Choose your task, then follow the steps beside the calculator. Try an example to see a worked result; it only changes the calculator.

What are you trying to do?

Keep a fraction together

\frac{{1.5}^{4} - 1.5}{4 - 1}

Choose Calculate. Put the whole numerator in parentheses, then type ÷, then the denominator in parentheses.
For (1.5⁴ − 1.5)/(4 − 1), type (1.5^4-1.5)/(4-1). Check the Reads as preview before pressing =.
Keep the full answer for your next step with Ans. Round only the final answer as your question asks.

Check yourself: You should get approximately 1.1875. Both subtractions belong inside the fraction.

Loads only the calculator. Your written answers stay as they are.

More worked examples

Try an example

Try it puts the example in the calculator and shows what to look for. Your answers stay as they are.

Average rate of change
$\frac{3^{2} - 1^{2}}{3 - 1}$
Fractions: keep the top together
$\frac{{1.5}^{4} - 1.5}{4 - 1}$
Negative signs and powers
$- 3^{2}$ ${(- 3)}^{2}$
Degrees: sin 30°
$\sin (30)$
Radians: sin π/6
$\sin (\frac{π}{6})$
Graph x² − 4
$x^{2} - 4$
Table of x² − 4
$x^{2} - 4$
A gap: 1/x
$\frac{1}{x}$

Use when your teacher permits it, and keep your written reasoning. This is Spellman’s own calculator, not a TI-84 or an exam-approved device. It keeps your last 12 calculations in this tab’s memory; nothing you type here is saved or sent. Reloading or closing the tab clears it.

Use 2nd for inverse trig, eˣ and scientific notation E. Hide calculator keys to use your phone keyboard.

What can I type?

Numbers and + − × ÷ ^ with ( ). Typing * and / works too. Multiplying can be written 2x, 2(x+1) or 3π.
−3^2 means −(3²) = −9. Write (−3)^2 to square a negative number.
sin cos tan, their inverses asin acos atan, sqrt (√), abs, log (base 10), ln and exp. Each needs ( ), like sin(30).
pi or π, e, and Ans (the last answer). Start with an operator, such as +2, to continue from Ans.
Scientific notation uses a capital E: 3E5 is 3 × 10⁵.
Precision: decimals keep about 15 digits, so ≈ results are rounded. Huge in-between values, or subtracting nearly equal numbers, can lose accuracy: (1E16+1)−1E16 gives ≈ 0, not 1. Rearrange or simplify by hand when that matters.
x only in Graph and Table. There is no = sign, no stored letters and no equation solving.
For secant, cosecant and cotangent write 1/cos( ), 1/sin( ) and 1/tan( ). Entries can be up to 160 characters.

Using a TI-84?

TI-84 handheld guide

These steps are for a TI-84 Plus CE handheld. Each one also says how our calculator does the same thing.

What would you like help with?

The same example on a TI-84

\frac{{1.5}^{4} - 1.5}{4 - 1} = \frac{19}{16}

The whole numerator belongs above the fraction bar. Leave the exponent before you subtract.

First: MODE, select MATHPRINT, then ENTER. Return home with 2nd MODE (QUIT).

1. Open the fraction template
ALPHAthenY=(F1), choose1n/d
2. Fill the top
Enter 1.5^power key4→right arrow−subtraction key1.5
The right arrow leaves the exponent, so the subtraction stays in the numerator.
3. Fill the bottom and calculate
↓down arrow4−subtraction key1→right arrowENTER
Down moves to the denominator. Right leaves the completed fraction.

Round only your final result

$\frac{19}{16} = 1.1875 \approx 1.19$

Keep the original expression or use Ans for intermediate work. Retyping a rounded display can change your result.

MATH→ NUM →2round(

To complete round(Ans,2): 2nd (−) inserts Ans. Then , 2 ) ENTER.

If the task asks for an exact answer, keep the fraction. A calculator decimal may be an approximation.

On our calculator: there is no fraction template. Type the top and bottom in parentheses with ÷, like (1.5^4−1.5)/(4−1); the screen stacks it as a fraction. There is no round( ) key, so round the final result yourself.

TI fraction guide TI exponent guide TI rounding guide

TI also sells an online TI-84 Plus CE. It needs Chrome, internet, and a TI account with an active subscription, so it is optional; the calculator above needs none of these. TI online calculator ↗ (opens in a new tab) TI access details (opens in a new tab)

Precalculus · Grade 12

Calculator

Use the handheld controls to calculate, graph and make a table. Choose a guide alongside it when you need a next step.

Spellman calculator

SC-12 · Scientific

RADIANS≈ approximate · = exact

Type a calculation, then press Enter. Try 2+3×4.

Your next step

Step-by-step help

Choose your task, then follow the steps beside the calculator. Try an example to see a worked result; it only changes the calculator.

What are you trying to do?

Keep a fraction together

\frac{{1.5}^{4} - 1.5}{4 - 1}

Choose Calculate. Put the whole numerator in parentheses, then type ÷, then the denominator in parentheses.
For (1.5⁴ − 1.5)/(4 − 1), type (1.5^4-1.5)/(4-1). Check the Reads as preview before pressing =.
Keep the full answer for your next step with Ans. Round only the final answer as your question asks.

Check yourself: You should get approximately 1.1875. Both subtractions belong inside the fraction.

Loads only the calculator. Your written answers stay as they are.

More worked examples

Try an example

Try it puts the example in the calculator and shows what to look for. Your answers stay as they are.

Average rate of change
$\frac{3^{2} - 1^{2}}{3 - 1}$
Fractions: keep the top together
$\frac{{1.5}^{4} - 1.5}{4 - 1}$
Negative signs and powers
$- 3^{2}$ ${(- 3)}^{2}$
Degrees: sin 30°
$\sin (30)$
Radians: sin π/6
$\sin (\frac{π}{6})$
Graph x² − 4
$x^{2} - 4$
Table of x² − 4
$x^{2} - 4$
A gap: 1/x
$\frac{1}{x}$

Use 2nd for inverse trig, eˣ and scientific notation E. Hide calculator keys to use your phone keyboard.

What can I type?

Numbers and + − × ÷ ^ with ( ). Typing * and / works too. Multiplying can be written 2x, 2(x+1) or 3π.
−3^2 means −(3²) = −9. Write (−3)^2 to square a negative number.
sin cos tan, their inverses asin acos atan, sqrt (√), abs, log (base 10), ln and exp. Each needs ( ), like sin(30).
pi or π, e, and Ans (the last answer). Start with an operator, such as +2, to continue from Ans.
Scientific notation uses a capital E: 3E5 is 3 × 10⁵.
Precision: decimals keep about 15 digits, so ≈ results are rounded. Huge in-between values, or subtracting nearly equal numbers, can lose accuracy: (1E16+1)−1E16 gives ≈ 0, not 1. Rearrange or simplify by hand when that matters.
x only in Graph and Table. There is no = sign, no stored letters and no equation solving.
For secant, cosecant and cotangent write 1/cos( ), 1/sin( ) and 1/tan( ). Entries can be up to 160 characters.

Using a TI-84?

TI-84 handheld guide

These steps are for a TI-84 Plus CE handheld. Each one also says how our calculator does the same thing.

What would you like help with?

The same example on a TI-84

\frac{{1.5}^{4} - 1.5}{4 - 1} = \frac{19}{16}

The whole numerator belongs above the fraction bar. Leave the exponent before you subtract.

First: MODE, select MATHPRINT, then ENTER. Return home with 2nd MODE (QUIT).

1. Open the fraction template
ALPHAthenY=(F1), choose1n/d
2. Fill the top
Enter 1.5^power key4→right arrow−subtraction key1.5
The right arrow leaves the exponent, so the subtraction stays in the numerator.
3. Fill the bottom and calculate
↓down arrow4−subtraction key1→right arrowENTER
Down moves to the denominator. Right leaves the completed fraction.

Round only your final result

$\frac{19}{16} = 1.1875 \approx 1.19$

Keep the original expression or use Ans for intermediate work. Retyping a rounded display can change your result.

MATH→ NUM →2round(

To complete round(Ans,2): 2nd (−) inserts Ans. Then , 2 ) ENTER.

If the task asks for an exact answer, keep the fraction. A calculator decimal may be an approximation.

TI fraction guide TI exponent guide TI rounding guide

Study calculator

Calculator

Spellman calculator

Average rate of change

Fractions: keep the top together

Negative signs and powers

Degrees: sin 30°

Radians: sin π/6

Graph x² − 4

Table of x² − 4

A gap: 1/x

TI-84 handheld guide

The same example on a TI-84

1. Open the fraction template

2. Fill the top

3. Fill the bottom and calculate

Round only your final result

Study calculator

Calculator

Spellman calculator

Average rate of change

Fractions: keep the top together

Negative signs and powers

Degrees: sin 30°

Radians: sin π/6

Graph x² − 4

Table of x² − 4

A gap: 1/x

TI-84 handheld guide

The same example on a TI-84

1. Open the fraction template

2. Fill the top

3. Fill the bottom and calculate

Round only your final result

Spellman calculatorSPELLMAN

TI-84 handheld guide

The same example on a TI-84

1. Open the fraction template

2. Fill the top

3. Fill the bottom and calculate

Round only your final result

Spellman calculatorSPELLMAN

TI-84 handheld guide

The same example on a TI-84

1. Open the fraction template

2. Fill the top

3. Fill the bottom and calculate

Round only your final result

Spellman calculator

Spellman calculator