Going into exams with the fx-CG100: tips for students

We’ll soon be heading into the first round of examinations where some students will be using the recently launched fx-CG100, our most advanced graphic calculator.

In this blog, we look at some of the ways this handset can enable efficient working and clearer understanding in an exam setting.

Quick graph plotting, checking and analysis

The Graph&Table app is an intuitive and powerful tool that students can use to visualise their working and check their reasoning.

It lets them explore a function algebraically, graphically and numerically – all within the same workspace – which can make it much easier to spot errors or confirm results.

A notable feature of the fx-CG100 is the addition of the left and right tab keys, which allow one-touch switching between a function, its graph and a corresponding table of values. In exam conditions, this speed and fluidity can make a big difference to students, letting them test out ideas, check for patterns or compare results without leaving the app or re-entering information.

You might also want to remind students how to use the calculator’s zoom settings to make sure their graphs are displayed clearly. From the Graph tab, selecting Tools > Zoom opens several options:

• Zoom Auto adjusts the display to draw the graph along the entire y-axis.
• Zoom Box lets students zoom into a specific part of the window.
• Zoom In and Zoom Out offer quick scaling around the window’s centre.
• Zoom Square corrects axis scaling to a 1:1 ratio, which can be especially helpful when comparing gradients or symmetry.

Once they’ve plotted a function, students can use Trace (also under Tools) to move along the curve and pinpoint exact coordinates. Switching to the Table tab provides a quick numerical check of those same values, reinforcing understanding of how the algebra, graph and data all connect.

Efficient equation solving

The fx-CG100 offers various ways to find and check solutions to equations with maximum efficiency. For most exam-style questions, the Equation app and the dedicated SolveN tool – the latter of which is only available on our graphing handsets – are certainly worth reinforcing in lessons and revision sessions.

Once they’re in the Equation app, students can choose between solving simultaneous and polynomial equations. This lets them investigate anything from two straightforward linear equations to cubic and quartic equations, with results displayed clearly and able to be edited or reused instantly if they realise a sign or coefficient needs adjusting.

SolveN takes things a step further. It can show multiple solutions when they exist – which can come in useful when dealing with things like trigonometric functions –  and can also display exact forms, such as surds. This gives students more insight into how a solution relates to the algebraic expression in the question.

You could encourage your A-level maths groups to use SolveN as both a solving and checking tool. For example, after working through a simultaneous or quadratic problem manually, they can plug the same inputs into SolveN to confirm their results.

For an additional check, they can switch to the Graph&Table app to plot the function and look for key points, such as intersections. This reinforces the link between algebraic and graphical methods and provides a confidence boost when the visual and calculated results match.

We offer lots of dedicated resources that break down these sorts of operations, such as this video on how to solve simultaneous equations graphically.

Smart statistics and probability tools

When they come to the statistics elements of their A-level maths exams, students have a lot to gain from dedicated tools that help them unpack the sorts of intricate, data-heavy questions that so many struggle with.

The fx-CG100’s Statistics app can help in various ways, such as allowing students to populate lists with data, create scatter plots and calculate regression models or summary values. Tracing along a plot offers a clear and intuitive way to identify outlying data points or check how well a line fits.

Another highly popular feature of our graphic calculator is the Distribution app, which stands out for its ability to graph and analyse normal and binomial distributions, as well as other types.

This can come in particularly useful for operations such as hypothesis testing. Having data points such as the mean, standard deviation and bounds allows students to see shaded probability regions and numerical results side by side, providing a link between the visual and statistical aspects of the topic.

Using these tools in tandem offers clarity around what the numbers actually mean, as well as saving valuable time on complex operations during an exam.

Building confidence under pressure

Exam success often comes down to familiarity and fluency. The more confidently students can navigate their calculator, the more mental energy they can devote to getting the maths right, using their time efficiently and not making simple mistakes.

You can help build that confidence by encouraging students to practise switching between apps. Being able to move quickly from Equation to Graph&Table to draw a recently input function, for example, can prove extremely useful in all sorts of scenarios.

Knowing how to use the handset’s answer memory and recall variables to save retyping can also be a vital time-saver, as well as reducing the risk of manual input errors.

It’s also worth reminding students that the fx-CG100’s colour display and visual features aren’t just for show. These elements exist to help users interpret their working.

Whether they’re spotting intersections on a graph, confirming solutions in SolveN or checking probability regions in Distribution, the ability to clearly visualise the maths can go a long way to helping students reduce errors and exam day nerves.

If you’re keen to improve your own graphic calculator knowledge or brush up on some key skills, we can help.

We offer free introductory training sessions for the fx-CG100, as well as a wide range of how-to videos, downloadable assets and other materials in our resources centre.