Model Agency 411

With exams approaching this is a short article with reminders
and advice for anyone about to take a mathematics exam and who
will need to use a scientific calculator.The most common
calculator problems are:

- setting up the calculator in the right mode - not being able
to find the calculator manual ! - remembering to change
calculator modes - rounding and inaccurate answers

Why Use a Scientific Calculator ?

Scientific calculators all use the same order for carrying out
mathematical operations. This order is not necessarily the same
as just reading a calculation from left to right. The rules for
carrying out mathematical calculations specify the priority and
so the order in which a calculation should be done - scientific
calculators follow the same order. This order is sometimes
abbreviated by terms such as BODMAS and BIDMAS to help students
remember the order of doing calculations.

1st. Brackets (all calculations within bracket are done
first) 2nd. Operations (eg squaring, cubing, square
rooting, sin, cos, tan ) 3rd. Division and Multiplication
4th. Addition and Subtraction

Being aware of this order is necessary in order to use a
scientific calculator properly. This order should always be used
in all mathematical calculations whether using a calculator or
not.

Scientific Calculator Check

There are two types of scientific calculator, the most recent
type being algebraic scientific calculators. Algebraic
scientific calculators allow users to type in calculations in
the order in which they have been written down. Older scientific
calculators need users to press the mathematical operation key
after they have entered the number.

For example to find the square root of nine (with an answer of
three) press: [button]

Algebraic scientific calculator: [SQUARE ROOT] [9] [=] Non
algebraic scientific calculator: [9] [SQUARE ROOT] [=]

Both these types of scientific calculator are fine for exams,
but make sure you know how to use your type.

If you are not sure whether you have a scientific calculator
are not, type in: [4] [+] [3] [x] [2] [=]

If you get an answer of 14, then you have a left to right
non-scientific calculator. If you get an answer of 10, then you
have a scientific calculator as it has worked out the
multiplication part first.

Lost Calculator Manuals

Calculator manuals tend to get lost very easily or you can never
find them as an exam is approaching. A frequent request is what
can you do if you have lost your calculator’s manual? If it is a
relatively new model then you can download a copy from the
manufacturer’s web site. If it is an old Sharp or old Casio
calculator manual then you can still find these on the internet.
Even with search engines, finding these manuals can take some
time - the following link has information about new and old
calculator manuals for Casio, Sharp, Hewlett-Packard and Texas
Instruments: here.

Calculator Mode

Now that you have your calculator manual you can set your
calculator to the correct settings. The standard settings are
usually:

COMPUTATIONAL: (use MODE button - choose normal not
stat) NOT: SD or REG DEGREES: (use MODE or DRG button)
NOT: RAD OR GRAD NORMAL: (use MODE or SETUP and arrow
keys) NOT: FIX, SCI, ENG

Many calculators have a reset button on the back that can be
pressed in using a pen or paper clip if you want the original
factory settings.

The most common mistake is to leave your calculator in a
previous mode and FORGETTING TO CHANGE IT BACK AGAIN ! (We’ve
all done it, just try to avoid doing it in the exam !)

Common Calculator Mistakes

(a) Pressing the DRG button by mistake and not doing
trigonometry questions in DEGREES mode. (If you are doing more
advanced work then forgetting to change out of DEGREES mode !).
(b) Borrowing an unfamiliar calculator or getting a new
calculator too close to the exam and not being familiar with the
keys and how to change modes. (c) Forgetting to write down and
check work. Any exam with a calculator should have a warning on
it! It is essential to write down the calculations that you’re
doing so that you can get method marks. You should also try and
double check all calculations in case of pressing a wrong
button. (d) Rounding only at the end of a calculation. Store
calculations in the memory and use all the decimal places during
calculations. If you use a rounded value too soon then you will
lose accuracy. (e) Forgetting to use brackets on division
calculations (e.g. when dividing by ALL the bottom part of a
fraction).

Many calculators are now very powerful and have amazing
computational power. Some of the programmable calculators are
mini computers. Although they will all calculate 100% accurately
every time, unfortunately they are only as good and as accurate
as their operator!

It is often the case that candidates perform better without a
calculator as it is very easy to make simple mistakes when using
one. If you can do so, it certainly helps to have an idea of the
rough size of the answer, so that you can see if an answer is
sensible or not. It is also a good idea to repeat all key
presses just in case you have made a mistake.

So your sister was awarded a full ride to her first choice school with the intent to double major in bio-molecular chemistry and electro-physics and your brother (who was actually getting paid to go to school) just finished his last football season. Cursing your parents for giving away all the really good genes before you had a chance to nab your fair share isn’t going to help but with a little creativity, you too can find a way to put yourself through college. Aside from the traditional scholarships offered to those who are blessed with the diligence to live life with their faces in books, or the grace and athleticism of a gazelle, there is also a plethora of scholarships for those of us who are darn proud of what we do but don’t quite make it too the coveted over-achiever status.

Many of us have heard the stories of the friend of a friend who didn’t have to pay a dime for their education simply because they were left handed or happened to measure in over 6′ 2″. And though these tales seem too good to be true, rest assured there is nothing fabricated about it (honestly, who could make this stuff up?) and these types of financial backing may be more available than you realize. Whether you pride yourself on your duck call or you think your um, unique fashion sense combined with your passion for duck tape merits a little assistance from a third party, look around and it’s likely to be out there. Some of the more strange scholarships we found include everything from an apple pie baking contest (first prize gets $25,000 to the Culinary Institute of America’s) to one that encourages young minds to study the Klingon language; naturally this one is given by the Klingon Language Institute.

Certain celebrities can also at times be counted on to share their own wealth such as the interest David Letterman is known for displaying through his scholarship fund awarded for outstanding creativity. Search far and wide and you’re sure to find a group that wants to support you just for being you, or maybe even just because they had supported your grandmother through school! But a word to the wise, before counting all your eggs or putting all your chickens in one basket take the time to make sure your benefactor is legitimate. Be aware of groups who request to remain anonymous (even from you) or are making outlandish requests from you in return for their so-called generosity. And finally, when it comes to applying to scholarships don’t be afraid to be greedy. Apply for as many as you are interested in and you may be surprised as to how much money your future is worth to other people.

If the scholarship route isn’t for you there are other ways of paying for school on your own (and I don’t mean that in a creepy meet-me-behind-the-student-union-next-Thursday-at-3-a.m. kind of way). There are plenty of financial institutions out there that are more than happy to help the struggling fledglings out there with enticingly low interest rates, long repayment terms, and flexible application deadlines. Student loans can be taken out for as little as $1,000 or as much as $50.000 with the option to defer payments on the principal for up to six months after graduation. And better yet they can usually be obtained from any banking establishment where you are a current account holder as well as any number of organizations which exist specifically for the purpose of helping you get through this (expensive) phase of life. Some of the top name student loan companies include Sallie Mae, Nellie Mae, and Educaid each having several different payment plans for both graduate and undergrad students.

The morale of the story kids, being asked to pay for your own education is a huge obstacle but it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable one. Just remember: ask and ye shall receive; help can come in the most unlikely forms, just ask.

Kelly Kennedy is the Communications Specialist for MindComet Corporation, a full service marketing agency for Fortune 500 companies and international conglomerates. Kelly specializes in public relations strategies focused on personal finance. Kelly has been author to hundreds of articles focusing on finance. She also acts as a contributing author for a wide variety of websites and newsletters. Kelly holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida.

For more information pertaining to student financial advice please visit http://www.studentfinancialguide.com.