The modulus function, or occasionally mod for short, is an important part of the maths A-level. However, it’s not the only operation that can be described by ‘mod’, so when revising using a calculator to solve these questions, it’s important that your students understand what processes they should be following.

What is the mod function?

The modulus function – also sometimes known as the absolute value function, – represents the absolute value, or magnitude, of a number or function. This will always be the same, irrespective of whether the number is positive or negative, and can be thought of as the distance from a number to zero.

In exams, students will typically be presented with a function and asked to find its modulus or absolute value. Let’s look at how the modulus function works on Casio’s calculators to see how these questions can be answered in practice.

Troubleshooting common issues with modulus on Casio calculators

The most common issues students are likely to face when using their calculators include data entry errors, such as not entering the equation in the correct format, or failing to select the correct mode before inputting their function. These can be avoided by ensuring students understand each step in the process before attempting to enter a modulus function.

If students are still getting the incorrect answer, they may need to fully reset their calculator before inputting the equation again.