Calculator skills for IB Maths
Every calculator skill the exam expects, one page each: the exact Casio fx-CG50 keystrokes (menus, F1–F6 and the screens you should see), the same on TI-84 Plus CE, TI-Nspire CX II, a worked example, the mistakes that cost marks, and the same idea in Desmos.
Algebra and graphs
- Solving equationsPolynomial roots, simultaneous linear equations and any equation f(x) = g(x) with the numerical solver.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Graphs: intersections, zeros, max and minDraw a graph, then read off roots, turning points and where two curves meet with G-Solve / CALC / Analyze Graph.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Sequences and sumsΣ for arithmetic and geometric sums, lists of terms, and the recursion/table mode for the nth term.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Tables of valuesFill in "complete the table" questions in seconds and spot sign changes for roots.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Calculus
Statistics
- RegressionLeast-squares lines and curves: linear, exponential, power, quadratic, cubic, sinusoidal and logistic models.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Correlation r and Spearman's rankPearson's product-moment correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank coefficient (by ranking, then r).fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- 1-variable and 2-variable statisticsMean, standard deviation, quartiles and sums from a list or a frequency table.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- t-tests and χ² testsTwo-sample t-test (pooled), χ² test for independence from a contingency table and χ² goodness of fit.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Confidence intervalst and z confidence intervals for a population mean, from a list of data or from summary statistics.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Probability
- Normal distributionP(a < X < b) with normal cdf, and the value for a given probability with inverse normal, including finding σ or μ.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Binomial and Poisson distributionsP(X = r) and P(X ≤ r) for B(n, p) and Po(λ), and how to turn ≥, > and "between" into what the calculator does.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Further topics
- MatricesEnter a matrix, then the determinant, inverse, powers and (on the TI-Nspire) eigenvalues.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Complex numbersArithmetic with i, the modulus and argument, and converting between Cartesian and polar/exponential form.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Finance (TVM solver)Compound interest, loans, annuities and depreciation with the time-value-of-money solver (IB AI).fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- VectorsMagnitude, scalar (dot) product, vector (cross) product and the angle between two vectors.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Before every exam
- Angle mode. Radians for calculus and most IB/A Level trig; degrees for bearings and triangle questions. On the fx-CG50: SHIFT MENU (SET UP) → Angle. It is the most common way to lose marks on a calculator.
- Clear old data. Old lists, frequency settings and matrices silently change statistics answers. Delete them before each question that uses the lists.
- Answer memory. Ans (and stored values like A, B) keep full accuracy: use them instead of retyping rounded numbers. Round only the final answer (3 s.f. unless told otherwise).
- Exact vs decimal. The fx-CG50 and ClassWiz show fractions and surds in Math mode; F↔D (or S⇔D on the ClassWiz) switches. Give exact answers when the question asks for them.
- Table mode. A quick table of values is the fastest way to sketch a graph or find where a root lies.
- Exam / Press-to-Test mode. Your school may put your calculator into exam mode on the day. Practise with it once so nothing surprises you:
Casio fx-CG50
Turn the calculator off (SHIFT AC/ON). Hold cos and 7, press AC/ON, release, then F1 (Yes), F2 and EXIT. A green frame and a flashing icon show it is in Examination Mode; it ends after 12 hours or when you connect it to a computer.
TI-84 Plus CE
Turn the calculator off. Hold ◄ and ►, press on, then choose the Press-to-Test settings your exam allows and press OK. The LED blinks while Press-to-Test is on.
TI-Nspire CX II
Turn the handheld off. Hold esc and home/on until the Press-to-Test screen appears, choose the restrictions your exam allows, then Enter Press-to-Test. The LED blinks while it is on.
What you're allowed in the exam
The IB lets you use one approved graphic display calculator (GDC) in Papers 2 and 3 (AA) and in every AI paper, in Press-to-Test / Examination Mode. CAS models (TI-Nspire CX II CAS, fx-CP400 ClassPad) are not allowed. Check the IB's current calculator list with your exams officer: it changes each session and newer models such as the Casio fx-CG100 are added over time.
Which calculator for IB Maths?
The Casio fx-CG50 is what most of our students use and what every guide here starts with. The TI-84 Plus CE (including the Python edition) and the TI-Nspire CX II (non-CAS) do the same exam jobs. Pick one and learn it well: switching calculators a month before the exam costs more marks than any feature gains.
Want a tour of every fx-CG50 menu? See the Casio fx-CG50 guide, and the GDC walkthroughs for six flagship skills side by side on the TI-Nspire and fx-CG50.
What about Desmos?
Desmos is not an approved calculator for IB exams, so never rely on it for Paper 2. It is excellent for learning, checking a GDC answer and building graphs for your Internal Assessment (IA). Every guide ends with a "Do it in Desmos" section and a live graph you can play with.
Sources
- Casio fx-CG50 Software User's Guide, OS 3.70 (PDF) (OS 3.80 (menus unchanged from OS 3.60 onwards as far as we can tell))
- TI-84 Plus CE guidebook (Texas Instruments) (OS 5.8.x)
- TI-Nspire CX II guidebooks (Texas Instruments) (OS 6.x)
- Desmos Help Center
Keystrokes follow the manufacturers' manuals for the OS versions shown and were cross-checked against published teaching guides. Where a manual was ambiguous we say so on the page instead of guessing.