Using the on-screen calculator

• Once opened, the calculator can be moved around the screen to the most appropriate position. To do this, click on the dark green bar at the top of the item and move the calculator around, holding the mouse button down until it is in the required position.
• The on-screen calculator works through the mouse and through the number pad on the keyboard.
• First ensure that the number lock key - labelled 'Num Lock' is activated before the number keys on the right of the keyboard may be used.

Things to consider when using the on-screen calculator

• To cancel an operation, press . This will save time if an error has been made when entering a long list of numbers.
• Always press the 'clear' button  on the calculator before beginning a new calculation.
• Always look at the display of the calculator after entering a number to check that the number shown is correct.
• If entering the division sign in an answer via the keyboard, instead of using the mouse, you need to press the  key, as there is no ÷ sign on the keyboard.
• Check the calculations and check the final answer makes sense in the question context. For example, 2.43 pupils would not be a reasonable answer.
• When answering multi-stage questions, as the calculator provided is not a scientific calculator, care needs to be taken for 'mixed operations', ie. calculations using several function keys. It is important that the function keys are pressed in the appropriate order for the calculation. It may also be useful to note down answers to particular stages of the calculation.