Calculator Strategies

USE your calculator for:

1. Complex arithmetic — large numbers, decimals, fractions
2. Graphing — finding intersections, zeros, or behavior of functions
3. Statistics — mean, standard deviation, regression
4. Checking work — plug your answer back in
5. Trigonometry — when exact values aren't expected

DON'T use your calculator for:

1. Simple algebra — solving $2x + 5 = 11$ is faster by hand
2. Factoring — $x^2 + 5x + 6 = (x+2)(x+3)$ is faster mentally
3. Estimation — "approximately how many..." questions
4. Conceptual questions — "which graph represents..."
5. Unit conversion — set up the ratios first

Rule of thumb: If you can solve it in under 15 seconds by hand, don't pick up the calculator. Time spent entering numbers is time wasted.

Answer: Use calculators for complex computation; avoid for simple algebra and conceptual questions.

Method 1: Graph and find zeros

1. Enter $Y_1 = x^2 - 5x + 6$
2. Graph the function
3. Find where the graph crosses the x-axis (zeros/roots)

Calculator method:

Step 1: Enter both functions:

• $Y_1 = x^3 - 4x$

Don't panic. Here's your debugging checklist:

Step 1: Re-read the question

• Did you answer what was actually asked? (Common: solving for $x$ when they want $2x$, or finding the value when they want the number of solutions)
• Check: "What is the value of $2x + 1$?" → If $x = 3.5$, then $2(3.5) + 1 = 8$ ✓

Step 2: Check your arithmetic

• Re-enter calculations in your calculator
• Check for sign errors
• Verify you copied the problem correctly

Step 3: Check your setup

• Did you read the problem correctly?
• Did you use the right formula?
• Did you set up the equation properly?

Step 4: Try plugging in the answer choices

• This is called "backsolving" — a powerful SAT strategy
• Try the middle value first, then adjust up or down
• This can be faster than solving algebraically

Step 5: Consider the student-produced response format

• If it's a grid-in question, 3.5 might actually be the correct answer!
• Grid-in answers CAN be non-integers: fractions and decimals are valid

Answer: Re-read the question (you may need a different expression), check your work, or try backsolving from the answer choices.