Sharp EL-531LH User manual

SHARP E L -531LH
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
The Learning Centre | Learning and Teaching Support Unit

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction 1
A word about starting out 2
1. Addition and subtraction 3
2. Multiplication and division 7
3. Brackets 9
4. Powers 10
5. Fractions 16
6. Using the x-1 key 18
7. Scientific notation 19
8. Factorial n!21
9. Using memory 22
10. Statistics 24
11. Trigonometric functions 31
12. Exponential and logarithmic functions 33
13. Degrees, minutes, seconds 35
Review calculator exercises 37

Calculator solutions 38
Your Notes 40

Mastering the Calculator using the Sharp EL-531LH 1
Introduction
This is one in a series of booklets prepared to assist students who are learning to use a
calculator. They have been prepared by staff in The Learning Centre from the Office of
Preparatory and ACademic Support (OPACS) at USQ. The series comprises:
Mastering the Calculator
•Using the Casio fx-100s (also suitable for Casio fx-570)
•Using the Casio fx-100AU
•Using the Casio fx-82LB
•Using the Casio fx-82MS
•Using the Casio fx-82TL
•Using the Sharp EL-531LH
•Using the Sharp EL-556L
•Using the Sharp EL-531RH
The instructions in this booklet only explain some of the keys available on your calculator
necessary for basic work in data manipulation. If you require more assistance please contact
The Learning Centre. If you would like information about other support services available
from The Learning Centre, please contact
The Learning Centre (TLC)
Learning and Teaching Support Unit (LTSU), S-Block
The University of Southern Queensland
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Fax: [phone]
Home page: http://www.usq.edu.au/ltsu

2Mastering the Calculator using the Sharp EL-531LH
A word about starting out
•Make sure you are in the correct mode selection and that all previous data is cleared.
•For e.g. To perform arithmetic operations press
•To clear all values press
•To clear memory press
•If your calculator has FIX or SCI or ENG on the display press until the letters
disappear
•If your calculator has RAD or GRAD on the display press until the letter DEG
appears
•If all else fails press the RESET button on the back of your calculator
(e.g. - after replacing batteries
- to clear all memory content
- when an abnormal condition occurs and all keys are inoperative).

Mastering the Calculator using the Sharp EL-531LH 3
1. Addition and subtraction
1.1 To add numbers
Find the key
(it is shown on the photograph of the calculator here).
Example
To add 7 and 3, type
The display should read 10
Example
I want to find the total amount I earned in the past four weeks. If I earned $471, $575, $471
and $528, the key strokes would be
The display should read 2045.
addition key
cancel last number key
Backspace
key

4Mastering the Calculator using the Sharp EL-531LH
1.2 Sometimes you make an error when typing in a number
If this happens use the key to cancel the number and then type in the correct number
and continue.
Example
If you want to enter 3 + 4 but accidentally type
press to cancel the 5.
Now type
Note that the key cancels just the last digit.
Example
If I want to add 471 and 575 but I typed
I can cancel 6 by typing and then typing
The display should read 1 046. Each time is used, the last digit is cancelled.
Try practising cancelling with the key until you are comfortable with its use.
1.3 The key is used when you want to delete a whole number
Example
If you typed:
471 + 566
but you wanted 471 + 576
press the key. Note the 566 disappears. Press the key again, the + sign becomes
static. Now type in 576 then .
The display should read 1 047.
Note: For the EL-531GH calculator, use the to cancel the last number and use the
to delete a whole number and then retype the new number.

Mastering the Calculator using the Sharp EL-531LH 5
1.4 When you want to edit, use the keys to move the cursor to the
left or right
Example
If you typed 471 + 568 +, but you wanted 576
Press the until the number 8 begins to flash [press to undo]
Press and “8” disappears. Now type in “7” and press until the + sign stops
flashing.
1.5 To subtract numbers
Find the key (it is shown on the photograph of the calculator following).
Example
To subtract 35 from 257, type
The display should read 222
plus minus key
subtraction key

6Mastering the Calculator using the Sharp EL-531LH
Example
348 – 24 – 19
The keystrokes are
The display should read 305.
Sometimes you may have a sum like this:
-7 + 4
You can use the key.
The key strokes are
The display should read -3.
You could also use the keystrokes
In this case the calculator recognises the – as a negative (not recommended to do it this way).

Mastering the Calculator using the Sharp EL-531LH 7
2. Multiplication and division
2.1 To multiply numbers
Find the key (it is shown on the photograph of your calculator here).
Example
To multiply 7 and 3, type
The display should read 21
To find 753 ×492, type
The display should read 370 476
key for division
key for multiplication