Part 8:
Formulae and Scientific Notation

Evaluating Formulae

Example 8.4a: Showing use of the x2 key

This key squares a number, i.e. multiplies it by itself.

An obvious application with which you should be familiar is the area of a circle: A = pr2.

Radius = 5.8 cm, Area = p x 5.82 cm2 = 105.68 cm2

The sequence for this is

(Answer 105.68 cm2)

Another obvious example is the Pythagoras formula, which may involve a calculation such as


for which the calculator sequence is


(Answer 7.3).