FSCalc

Contents of This Page

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1. Entering Equations and Expressions
2. Reviewing the History
3. Saving the Calculation
4. Clearing the Calculator
5. Arithmetic Examples
6. Conversion Example
7. Statistical Example
8. Financial Examples

FSCalc is a scientific, engineering, and financial calculator. The calculator includes functions for statistics, metric conversions and physical properties and constants.

Entering Equations and Expressions

You can choose to enter an equation or expression using the menu (F2) or by typing it with the keyboard. In either case, you must enter variables, operators, and functions in Computer Braille. Anytime you solve an equation or expression, you must follow conventional math rules such as the order of operations.

• Parenthesis and Brackets - Simplify the inside of parenthesis and brackets before you deal with the exponent (if any) of the parenthesis or remove the parenthesis.
• Exponents - Simplify the exponent of a number or of a parenthesis before you multiply, divide, add, or subtract it.
• Multiplication and Division - Simplify multiplication and division in the order they appear from left to right.
• Addition and Subtraction - Simplify addition and subtraction in the order they appear from left to right.

Variables can be any combination of letters (a-z) and digits (0-9). Standard operations are entered in the form a+b, with no spaces. For example, x=7, y=9, x+y, f+10.

Operators modify the value stored in a variable.

Expressions are any combinations of numbers, variables, operators and functions.

Functions consist of a name followed by a comma-separated list of arguments enclosed in parentheses. If you choose to type the function instead of selecting it from the menus, be sure that you type it without spaces.

Once you have entered the equation or expression, press DOT 8 for the result.

If you select a function from the Functions Menu, anything selected on the current line is treated as an argument, i.e., placed in parentheses.

When you press DOT 8 to calculate an operation, PAC Mate speaks and selects the result. If you type a new number or entry, it replaces the result with the new entry. If you type an operator, the result become part of the new operation and the insertion point is placed at the end of the operation, ready for you to finish your calculation.

Reviewing the History

Once you have entered a calculation(s) you can sequentially review the steps taken or the equations entered by pressing the UP ARROW to move backward or DOWN ARROW to move forward.

Saving the Calculation

At anytime, while working through a calculation, you can save your work as a .txt file. Press SH CHORD, S to save the file in the current folder with the current name in the current location or open the File Menu and select Save As. Type a new file name, use DOTS 4-5 CHORD to move to the Folder combo box, and press the down arrow to select a folder. Press DOTS 4-5 CHORD again to move to the Location combo box and press the down arrow to select a location.

Clearing the Calculator

With FSCalc you can clear three items in the calculator: clear current line (0 CHORD), clear the history (SH CHORD, H), or clear the variables (SH CHORD, V). You can find these three items in the Edit Menu as well.

Arithmetic Examples

Algebra Question: Simplify the following expression 2+(3-1)*3^2.

1. Following the order of operations, simplify the term inside the parenthesis first. In the edit window of FSCalc, type in computer Braille 3-1, then press DOT 8.
2. Next, type p w r ( 3,2 ) or press F2, F, DOT 8 to open the Functions Menu, then press DOT 8 on the Trig submenu and select Pwr. Pwr(2) will show automatically in the edit window so all you need to type is 3,. When you are done, press DOT 8.
3. The next order of operations to solve for is the answer from step 2 multiplied by the answer from step 1, which is (2)*9. To do this, press DOTS 1-6 and type the answer "2." (If you cannot remember the answer from step 1, you can use UP ARROW to review each step taken in this expression. Use the DOWN ARROW to move to the last answer, which was 9.) When you are done, press DOT 8.
4. The last step to simplifying this expression is to add 2 to18. Press DOTS 3-4-6 so expression now becomes 18+ and type DOTS 2-3, DOT 8. (Answer = 20)
5. Review the calculations for any errors by pressing the UP ARROW.
6. Press F2, F, DOT 8 and choose Save As to name and save this calculation as a .txt file.
7. Press SH CHORD, H to clear the history.

Arithmetic Question: You are shopping for a new desktop computer and have found one for $875.00. The computer store salesman tells you that the special going on is 35% off all computers storewide. How much is the computer you picked out?

1. In the edit window type 875*35% in computer Braille.
2. When you are done press DOT 8.
3. Now, subtract $306.25 from $875.00 (Answer = $568.75)

Conversion Example

Conversion Question: The winter of 2002-2003 is reputed to be one of the coldest winters on record. To substantiate this your friends from Syracuse, New York call to tell you that the temperature outside is -25 degrees Celsius and the wind is blowing at 10 miles per hour. What is the temperature in Fahrenheit and the wind chill factor?

1. Press F2, F, DOT 8. From the Functions Menu select and press DOT 8 on Conversions. In the submenu select and press DOT 8 on Celsius to Fahrenheit.
2. Press DOTS 3-6, DOTS 2-3, DOTS 2-6 and DOT 8. (Answer = -13 degrees Fahrenheit)
3. Next, go back into the Conversions submenu and press DOT 8 on Wind Chill. The edit window now has wc(-13).
4. Press RIGHT ARROW once to move inside the parentheses and press DOT 6, DOT 2, DOTS 3-5-6, DOT 8. (Wind Chill = -37.2555 degrees Fahrenheit)

Statistical Example

Statistical Question: Find the average, standard deviation and sum from the following data. Data Set (6,8,9,10,2)

1. Type a v g ( 6,8,9,10,2 ) and press DOT 8. Or press F2, F, DOT 8. With the Functions Menu opened move to the Stat submenu and press DOT 8. Press DOT 8 again on Avg. Now type 6,8,9,10,2 and press DOT 8. (Answer = 7)
2. Use the UP ARROW and DOTS 1-3-7 CHORD, E CHORD, C to move, select and copy (6,8,9,10,2). Press the DOWN ARROW once and BACKSPACE (DOT 7) over the 7, then paste the selected text. Move to the beginning of the line with DOT 3+LEFT ARROW and type s t d d e v. When you are done press DOT 8. (Answer = 2.82843)
3. Clear the current line, 2.82843, with 0 CHORD. Press E CHORD, P and DOT 3+LEFT ARROW to paste the selected text that is still on the clipboard and move to the beginning of the line. Type s u m and press DOT 8. (Answer = 35)

Financial Examples

Financial Question: Your financial advisor is recommending that you invest $5000.00 in a particular fund for 10 years. He says that the annual rate of return is 7.18%. In order to make an informed decision, you need to find out how much your money would be worth in 10 years.

To solve this problem you need to have some knowledge of the relationship between the rate of interest (r), time (t), the present value (pv) and the future value (fv) of the dollar. The relationship is as follows:

fv=pv*(1+r/n)^nt

pv = 5000 r = 0.0718 n = 1 t = 10 years fv = ?

To help with the concept, open Notes and take the variables above and plug them into the formula: fv = 5000*(1+.0718/1)^(1)(10). You can solve this problem using the order of operations or you can use the financial functions in FSCalc.

Using the order of operations:

1. Solve 1+.0718 first.
2. Press F2, F, DOT 8 to open the Functions Menu. From the Trig Menu select and press DOT 8 on Pwr.
3. The edit window now reflects the following: pwr(1.0718). Because the cursor is outside the parentheses, you need to press the RIGHT ARROW once and finish the function by pressing DOT 6, DOT 2, DOTS 3-5-6, DOT 8. (Answer = 2.0005)
4. Last, solve for fv by multiplying the future value factor, (1+r/n)^nt = 2.0005, and the present value = $5000.00. (Answer = $10,000)

Using FSCalc:

Note: When using the financial functions of FSCalc, you must list your known variables in the following order: fv(r,n,t,pv), pv(r,n,t,fv), pmt(r,n,t,pv), loan(r,n,t,pmt), install(r,n,t,pv)and rate(n,pv,fv).
Where:
pv = the present value or initial value
fv = the future value
r = the annual interest rate
t = time
n = number of compound periods in a year

1. First clear the history with SH CHORD, H.
2. Press F2, F, DOT 8. From the Functions Menu, open the financial submenu and press DOT 8 on fv.
3. The edit window now has fv(). Inside the parentheses, type .0718,1,10,5000. When you are done press DOT 8. (Answer = $10,0002.5)

Financial Question: You are interested in buying a home. You want to know what your monthly payment will be if you take a 15 year bank note for $120,000 at rate of 4.75% compounded monthly.

Using Notes, list out your known variables.

pmt = ? r = .0475 n = 12 t = 15 pv = 120,000

1. Press F2, F, DOT 8. From the Functions Menu, open the financial submenu and press DOT 8 on payment.
2. The edit window now has pmt(). Inside the parentheses, type .0475,12,15,120000. When you are done press DOT 8. (Answer = $933.52)

Financial Question: You are concerned about your retirement. You want to know how much you have to invest today in order to accumulate $1 million dollars by time you are ready to retire. You have found an annuity that that is paying 10% return compounded monthly. You figure that you will retire in about 35 years.

Using Notes, list out your known variables.

fv = $1 million r = 0.10 n = 12 t = 35 years pv = ?

1. Press F2, F, DOT 8. From the Functions Menu, open the financial submenu and press DOT 8 on pv.
2. The edit window now has pv(). Inside the parentheses, type .10,12,35,1000000. When you are done press DOT 8. (Answer = $30,637.25)

In the above question, how much money do you have to deposit each month if the annuity is compounded bi monthly?

In Notes reevaluate your variables. The rate is reconfigured because it is compounded bi monthly. If the rate is compounded quarterly you would use 4.

fv = $1 million pv = $30,637.25 r = .10 n = 24 t = 35

1. Press 0 CHORD to clear the line and then press F2, F, DOT 8. From the Functions Menu, open the financial submenu and press DOT 8 on installment.
2. The edit window now has install(). Inside the parentheses, type .10,24,35,1000000. When you are done press DOT 8. (Answer = $130.72)

Financial Question: You need to take out a 5 year loan for some small home improvements. According to your budget you can afford to spend $50.00 monthly to pay back the loan. Bank rates on a 5 year loan are 6% compounded monthly. Given these parameters how much money can you borrow?

Using Notes, list out your known variables.

loan = ? r = .06 n = 12 t = 5 pmt = 50

1. Press F2, F, DOT 8. From the Functions Menu, open the financial submenu and press DOT 8 on loan.
2. The edit window now has loan(). Inside the parentheses, type .06,12,5,50. When you are done press DOT 8. (Answer = $2586.28)

Financial Question: You receive quarterly statements from your mutual fund company on your IRA. As you watch your fund's performance you wonder what the rate of return is on your IRA. Your initial investment two years ago was $2000.00 and your most recent statement shows a balance of $3829.52. The IRA is compounded daily.

Using Notes, list out your known variables.

rate = ? pv = $2000 fv = $3829.52 n = 365

1. Press F2, F, DOT 8. From the Functions Menu, open the financial submenu and press DOT 8 on rate.
2. The edit window now has rate(). Inside the parentheses, type 365,2000,3829.52. When you are done press DOT 8. (Answer = .00178 x 100 = .178%)

Operators

Arithmetic Functions

Statistical Functions

Trigonometric Functions

Conversion Functions

Financial Functions