GED Scientific Calculator (TI-30XS) Tutorial

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Cart

Tutorial guidance for using the GED Scientific Calculator (TI-30XS) within the GED test software during the 2014 Mathematical Reasoning test and certain Science and Social Studies items. Explains when and how the on-screen calculator is available, how to open, move, and close it, and introduces main keys plus a reference sheet. Covers standard operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), powers and roots, fractions and mixed-number fractions, scientific notation, and percentages. Also details useful extra functions such as toggling answer formats, correction, and the ans key, plus links to official online resources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction to the GED Calculator

When the Calculator will be available

How to access and move the Calculator on-screen

The Main Keys

Calculator Reference Sheet

Standard Operations

Addition, Subtraction, Multiply, and Divide

Powers and roots

Fractions

Mixed Number Fractions

Scientific Notation

Percentages

Other Useful Functions

Toggle Key

Fraction and Mixed Number Toggle Key

Correction

The 'ans' (answer) Key

Extra resources

Official Online Calculator Tutorial

'Introduction to the GED Calculator' video

GED Resource Page

GED Scientific Calculator (TI-30XS) Tutorial CONTENTS 1. Introduction to the GED Calculator……………………………………………………………2 1.1 When the Calculator will be available……………………………………………………………………2 1.2 How to access and move the Calculator on-screen………………………………………………..2 1.3 The Main Keys……………………………………………………………………………………………………….3 1.4 Calculator Reference Sheet……………………………………………………………………………………4 2. Standard Operations…………………………………………………………………………………………….4 2.1 Addition, Subtraction, Multiply, and Divide…………………………………………………………..4 2.2 Powers and roots………………………………………………………………………………………………….5 2.3 Fractions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6 2.4 Mixed Number Fractions……………………………………………………………………………………….6 2.5 Scientific Notation…………………………………………………………………………………………………6 2.6 Percentages……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..7 3. Other Useful Functions…………………………………………………………………………………………7 3.1 Toggle Key…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 3.2 Fraction and Mixed Number Toggle Key……………………………………………………………….7 3.3 Correction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 3.4 The ‘ans’(answer) Key………………………………………………………………………………………….8 4. Extra resources…………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 4.1 Official Online Calculator Tutorial…………………………………………………………………………8 4.2 “Introduction to the GED Calculator” video………………………………………………………….8 4.3 GED Resource Page………………………………………………………………………………………………8 1. Introduction to the GED Calculator 1.1 When the Calculator will be available The GED Calculator (TI-30XS) will be available on-screen for most items for the 2014 Mathematical Reasoning test, and some of the items on the 2014 Science and Social Studies tests. 1.2 How to access and move the Calculator on-screen The Calculator is built into the GED test software on the computer. You cannot use a hand-held version. You can access it during the test by clicking on ‘Calculator’ in the top left-hand side of the test. This will open the GED Calculator window, within the test window. You can move the calculator around within the test window, by clicking and dragging the top bar of the Calculator window, see next page. You close it again by clicking on the ‘x’ in the top right-hand corner of the Calculator window. 1.3 The Main Keys The clear key is used to clear the display after you have completed the desired calculations. 1.4 Calculator Reference Sheet It is possible to open the Calculator Reference sheet whenever you have access to the calculator. Do this by clicking on the Calculator Reference button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen during the test. The Calculator Reference sheet explains the basic operations, and can be referred to when you are confused about how to complete certain operations on the calculator. 2. Standard Operations 2.1 Addition, Subtraction, Multiply, and Divide This is how to calculate five plus four. ( 5 + 4 = ) The screen will display the answer ‘9’ once the enter key is pressed. This is how to calculate seven minus four. ( 7-4 = ) The screen will display ‘3’ once the enter key is pressed. This is how to calculate two times four. ( 2 x 4 = ) The screen will display ‘8’ once the enter key is pressed. This is how to calculate six divided by two. ( 6 / 2 = ) The screen will display ‘3’ once the enter key is pressed. The negative key is not the same as the subtract key . 2.2 Powers and roots To perform calculations with powers and roots, you will use the following keys: This key is for the square function. The second function of this key is for calculating square roots. This key is for the exponent function (exponents over 2) . The second function of this key is for roots over 2. |
The answer for square roots will be displayed as a whole number or a simplified root. The answer for roots over 2 will be displayed as a whole number or a decimal. | | --- | |
Example: | | | 2.3 Fractions When doing fractions you use the key.

FAQs

When is the GED Scientific Calculator available during the test?

It is available on-screen for most items for the 2014 Mathematical Reasoning test, and for some items on the 2014 Science and Social Studies tests.

How can a test taker open and move the calculator on-screen?

Click 'Calculator' in the top left of the test to open the calculator window within the test window. Move it by clicking and dragging the top bar, and close it using the 'x' at the top right.

How do you enter fractions and mixed-number fractions?

For fractions, use the fraction key, input the numerator, use the down arrow to the denominator, then use the right arrow to move out. For mixed numbers, enter the whole number first, then use the second function of the fraction key and input numerator and denominator using the down and right arrow keys; mixed numbers convert to improper fractions when enter is pressed.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Cart