Student problems using their calculators for scientific notationAbstract:Graphing calculators are needed for math classes in New York State (REF1) and the TI-83 and TI-84 models are highly recommended. Students also tend to use these calculators in NYS Regents physics class (REF2), but have difficulties when using them for calculations involving scientific notation. Acknowledgements: This web page addressed requirements for PHY690: Masters' Project at SUNY-Buffalo State College. Dr. Dan MacIsaac contributed considerably to this work. The address for this web page is: <http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/pubs/PHY690/Doty2005Calculator/Calculator.html>One of the skills that I thought that my students would have is full use of the TI-83 calculators (REF3). Although all of my students could do simple calculations, I have observed many of them have trouble with the TI-83 calculators when using them for calculations involving scientific notation.While grading the June 2005 NYS Regents physics exam I found that twenty percent of my students were missing question 71. The alpha line in the Balmer series of thehydrogen spectrum consists of light having awavelength of 6.56 10-7 meter.71 Calculate the frequency of this light. [Show allwork, including the equation and substitution withunits.] [2] (REF2)The correct answer to this problem is Hz1057.4m1056.6sm1031478cf. However, many of my students were simply answering 57.4fHz. I would have expected a few of my students to forget to check their calculator for an exponent, but too many of them missed this question for such a simple explanation. After trying a few different calculations I foundthat the problem was not with the physics, but with students’ calculations on their calculators. Most of my students are assigned a TI-83 Plus from the math department, but I have since found out many of them do not know how to use them properly. After polling my students this year 33% said that before taking physics they didn’t know about the [EE] button or its use and only 42% said that they hadever been explicitly taught the use of the [EE] button on the calculator. Of those that responded that they had been taught, 80% gave credit to one math teacher in our district. The rest that knew about the [EE] button responded that they had picked it up from other students or using other calculators. When students do not know the proper use of the [EE] button, they simply type scientific notation into the calculator as it looks on the page. For the example from above, some students will type in 3 x 10^8 / 6.56 x 10^-7.Since the TI-83 Plus calculators do not follow standard order of operations, rather they calculate from left to right so the calculation goes as follows: {[(3) x (10^8)] / (6.56)} x (10^-7), which will give the answer of 4.57 Hz. As part of my master’s project for Buffalo State College I have developed a web page that will help students to understand the importance of using the [EE] button. The web page is divided into four major sections for using the calculators. Directions for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division that explicitly describes the keystrokes for entering calculations with scientific notation. Sample physics problems where scientific notation is commonly used such as gravitational force, electrostatic force, and calculations involving the speed of light. Using parentheses for the correct orders of operation and the orders of operation that the TI-83 calculators follow.By having my students review this web page and write a reflection including theirprior knowledge, I hope that my students will learn the correct way to use their calculators at the beginning of the year, so that it does not become an issue later on. By having students’ review this web site my goal is for them to be reminded of the correct use of the calculator, learn the correct use, or see me individually for instructions. In a poll of my students this year many of my students mentioned that they probably lost points on tests or could not get the right answers on homework problems due to incorrect use of their calculator. They all stated that an activity such as reading through this website would have helped at the beginning of the year to either remind them of the [EE] button or to teach them how to use this function on their calculator. David Doty, Dept of Physics, SUNY-Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222REF1. <http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst.html>REF2. <http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/pub/phycoresci.pdf>REF3. <http://www.ticalc.org/basics/calculators/ti-83plus.html>REF4.
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