Comparing Casio calculators, from entry level to advanced

All Casio calculators – from our ClassWiz+ scientific range to the most advanced graphing handsets – are highly capable devices that can support teachers and students at all stages of secondary education.

But there are some significant differences between our models. With that in mind, we wanted to take a closer look at some key features and distinctions across the current Casio calculator range, with insights from mathematician and training instructor, Simon May.

Laying the foundations: the fx-83/85GT CW+

The fx-83GT CW+ and fx-85GT CW+ are our entry-level scientific calculators. They’re identical in functionality, but the fx-85GT CW+ is distinguished by its solar panel and the fact it’s made from up to 90% recycled materials.

These models are ideally suited to students who are establishing the foundations of their mathematical knowledge from years 7 to 9 and starting to prepare for their GCSEs.

When you start using these handsets with your students, you’ll find the following features pre-installed:

• Calculate: for general tasks and calculations such as square numbers, square roots, surds, fractions, percentages and decimals.
• Statistics: for statistical and regression calculations.
• Table: generates a number table from one or two input functions.
• Ratio: for ratio calculations.
• Math Box: offers functions including dice roll and coin toss probability simulations and number line graphs for up to three equalities or inequalities.

You can get quick access to the calculator functions you use most often by pressing SHIFT and CATALOG, while shortcuts in all menus allow easier navigation.

In terms of how the functionality of these devices can be applied in practice, Simon offered the example of using Table mode to build understanding of how numbers behave under certain conditions.

After defining a function such as f(x) = x² or f(x) = x² + 3, using the Tools key, a range of x-values can be entered to populate the table. This can be a good route into understanding square numbers and starting to explore functions.

Both of our entry-level scientific calculators also offer the option to perform instant standard-to-decimal conversions with the FORMAT key. Pressing SHIFT and FORMAT opens a full menu of conversion options, including standard form.

Discussing the overall benefits of introducing scientific calculators as early as possible in secondary school, Simon said: “The sooner students get hold of a calculator, the more effective a tool it will be for them, because they’ll quickly build familiarity with how to use it.

“In responses to questions, they will be more comfortable with those default movements and asking where the calculator can help them out.”

Deepening understanding and solving: the fx-991CW+ UK

The fx-991CW+ UK is the ultimate scientific calculator, fully tailored and optimised for UK curriculums.

It offers all the core functionality you’ll find on the fx-83/85GT CW+ handsets, including HCF, LCM, recurring decimals and one-press standard-to-decimal conversion.

Crucially, the fx-991CW+ UK also has some key functionality you won’t find on entry-level ClassWiz+ models. The benefits of these upgrades really become clear when students start exploring topics in greater depth from GCSE onwards.

One of the most notable examples is Solver, which uses Newton’s method to find decimal solutions to equations. This can be a useful teaching tool and provide valuable support when students start to build on their fundamental understanding by solving problems.

Simon noted that having the ability to input and solve equations on their calculator helps students take an independent, investigative approach to their learning, rather than relying entirely on what the teacher tells them.

Those who struggle with some of the finer details of algebra and formulae can also take reassurance from using the calculator to check their work.

The fx-991CW+ UK also offers other upgrades in functionality over the fx-83/85GT CW+ that will be useful for higher-level GCSE and A-level students, including numerical calculus, complex number calculations, vectors and matrices.

“It makes sense for students to go from using the fx-83/85GT CW+ and learning how to operate the handset and navigate the menus, to then making the decision in year 9 or 10 about whether they could get extra help from the more advanced functionality of the fx-991CW+ UK,” Simon said.

To learn more about our scientific calculators, their features and the differences between them, take a closer look at the full ClassWiz+ range.

Visualising and exploring in greater depth: the fx-CG100

The equation-solving functionality available on the fx-991CW+ UK is taken a step further on the fx-CG100, the most advanced handset we offer.

One of the defining features of the fx-CG100 is SolveN, which uses numerical analysis to find all solutions to an equation and presents them as exact values – as a fraction of π, an improper fraction or a surd, for example.

This sets it apart from the fx-991CW+ UK’s Solver, which is a highly effective tool, but relies on an approximate figure to start from – which can be achieved in Table mode – and only presents a single solution as a decimal.

Perhaps the most important aspect that distinguishes the fx-CG100 from our scientific calculators is its graphing functionality, which lets you add an entirely new, visual dimension to your teaching, students’ learning and overall understanding.

Simon gave us several examples of how this can be applied in practice, including:

• Drawing key concepts like quadratic and simultaneous equations, but also going a step further and exploring things like hyperbolics and drawing circles.
• Graphing parametric equations, which is useful when students are faced with questions that require them to go beyond just the x and y variables.
• Using dynamic graphing to animate a function such as sin(ax) and change the value of a.
• Using Recursion mode to graph sequences and series or numerical iteration.

“The fx-CG100 is a really powerful handset, and it’s perfectly applicable to GCSE as well as A-level,” Simon said. “Starting to use it at GCSE is a good idea for students who will be going on to A-level maths, which is when the functionality of the fx-CG100 really starts to come into its own as the topics get harder.”

If you’re interested in taking your first steps with the fx-CG100, we recommend signing up for a free introductory training session, during which one of our experts will show you how to use some of the calculator’s key functions.

You can book a place here.