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Working with Fractions

Things to keep in mind when using your graphing calculator with fractions:

1.
Yikes!  There is NO fraction key!!
 
Classic Mode: Don't panic!  Just remember that the fraction bar means "divide". 
 

Enter

35

 as  " 3 divide 5 ".              The calculator will display .6



MathPrint Mode:
The MathPrint Mode has templates to help you enter fractions quickly. Press ALPHA and F1. Make a choice and use arrow keys to navigate.
fracpic1
fracpic22

 
Choosing #1 will place a template on the screen for entering a fraction.
255pic10
 
Choosing #2 will place a template on the screen for entering a mixed number.
255pic11
 

Choosing #3 will convert an entry or a previous answer to a mixed number or an improper fraction.
255pic12

 

 

 

2.
Convert Decimals to Fractions.
 
If you need to convert your decimal answer to a fraction, choose the MATH key and #1►Frac.   The screen will show Ans►Frac.  Hit Enter.  
(Note:  The fraction answer will always appear in fraction or improper form.  It will not be converted to a mixed number.)
 
 Classic Mode
   
 
frac1
frac2

 

 
MathPrint Mode
   
 
255pic9
In MathPrint, you may also enter fractions as shown in #1. Choosing #4 from the F1 menu, you can also change between fractions and decimals.
255pic13

 

3.
Mixed numbers may be entered directly.
 
Classic Mode: A mixed number can be entered as it is read ---
       " three AND (+) one half "

312

Enter 3 + 1 / 2
 
 
Check out the two problems below.  Look carefully at the subtraction problem. 

  frac5 frac6

Beware!!
In the examples on the left, the use of parentheses was not needed when adding, but WAS needed when subtracting. 

 

  If the parentheses was not used in the subtraction problem, only the 2 would have been subtracted (by order of operations) and the wrong answer would have resulted.


 
MathPrint Mode: Mixed numbers can be entered directly using the F1 templates.
  255pic14 255pic15
The parentheses are entered automatically by the calculator AFTER you have entered the mixed numbers. Notice that it leaves the answers in fraction form.

  

4.
Mixed numbers entered as improper fractions.
 
Classic Mode: If you have a tendency to "forget" your parentheses when dealing with mixed numbers, you should consider changing all mixed numbers to improper fractions.  This will avoid the need to worry about the parentheses.
  frac7

could also be ....

frac8
       
  frac9

could also be ....

frac10

 

5.
Entering Algebraic Fractions
 
Be careful when entering algebraic fractions.
Consider this problem:
frac2
Classic Mode
frac11
For testing purposes, the value 4 was stored in x using the STO► key.
Notice the different answers!!!  The calculator only recognizes division between the character immediately before and after the division symbol.
Parentheses were needed for this problem (the second answer (.1) is correct.)
 

MathPrint Mode
255pic15

The same problem as seen above will occur with MathPrint if you enter 2/5x. To avoid such problems, use the F1 template to enter the fraction. When using the template, the denominator will stay in place and avoid the problem.
 
doubt

  



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