There are several potentially "tricky" things to keep in mind when
using your graphing calculator with numerical problems.
1.
Do not confuse the subtraction key with the negation key.
Subtract: Negate:
When you look at the subtraction symbol on the
screen,
it will appear
to be a tiny bit wider and
a tiny bit lower
set than
the negation symbol.
2.
Several ways to square a value (or raise to any power.)
Square Key
Shortcut key to raise to a power of 2: (square), type the value and hit the "Square Key".
To raise to any power: type value, hit the caret (^) key, which is to the left of the "Square Key", and enter the desired power.
You will REMAIN up in the exponent position until you hit right arrow to return to the base line.
To raise to any power: access Template Chart, , insert value and power. You will REMAIN up in the exponent position until you hit the right arrow to return to the base line.
Get in the habit of moving back to the base line from an exponent.
3.
Several ways to use square root (or roots to higher index).
Square Root Option
Shortcut key to square root key: (above the ) use the "blue" CTRL key with the x2 key.
OR enter template square root symbol: access the Template Chartand choose the 3rd option in the top row. Hit and type value under radical symbol. You will REMAIN under the radical symbol until you hit
ENTER or use the
right arrow to exit the radical symbol.
To take the roots to "any" index power: access the Template Chart and choose the 4th option in the top row. Hit and type in the power, arrow right, type in value under radical symbol.You will REMAIN under the radical symbol until you hit or use the right arrow to exit the radical symbol.
Get in the habit of moving out from under the radical sign.
4.
Working with parentheses.
There are situations and calculations in mathematics that will require the use of parentheses.
For example:
While the parentheses key(s) appear to be a toggle between the right and left parentheses, they actually are always entered as one "set" (no toggle).
When the ( ) key is hit, BOTH parentheses will appear. You will be required to enter a quantity inside of the parentheses. Use the Touch Pad arrows to move in and out of the parentheses.
The ( ) key will always return the common, smooth, curved parentheses.
To obtain "square brackets" [ ], hit followed by just the left side of the paired ( ) key.
To obtain "French curly braces" { }, hit followed by just the right side of the ( ) key.
NOTE: The use of parentheses is often an "automatic" feature. When you select functions such as "sin" or "log", both the right and left parenthesis will appear after the function name.
Negate: 
You will REMAIN up in the exponent position until you hit right arrow to return to the base line.
, 
, insert value and power.
) use the "
will give sin( ). ( with parentheses included )