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.
Test yourself: 5 quick questions → No sign-in needed
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
- Quadratic graphs: roots and vertexSolve ax² + bx + c = 0 and find the turning point (vertex) of y = ax² + bx + c, to check factorising, the formula or completing the square.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Standard form and roundingType numbers like 3.2 × 10⁵ correctly, show answers in standard form and round to 3 significant figures without losing accuracy.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Trig graphs and angle modeGraph y = a sin(bx) + d in the right angle mode, read off the maximum, minimum and period, and solve trig equations in an interval.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Calculus
- Numerical derivative and integralThe gradient at a point with d/dx and a definite integral with ∫dx, plus areas between curves.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Trapezium ruleGet the y-values from a table of values, put them into the trapezium rule without rounding, and check the answer against the calculator's integral.fx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
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
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5 quick questions from across IB Maths. No sign-in needed.
Before every exam
- Angle mode. Radians for calculus and most trig graphs; degrees for bearings and triangle questions. It is the most common way to lose marks on a calculator: how to check and change it.
- 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. S⇔D switches an answer between fraction and decimal on the fx-CG50; the key on other calculators. 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 mode or reset. For IB exams the fx-CG50 goes into Examination Mode (for IB) and the TI-Nspire CX II into Press-to-Test; the TI-84 Plus CE is reset instead (no Press-to-Test). Practise it once so nothing surprises you: exam mode step by step, how to reset.
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. Exam mode goes on immediately before the exam and stays on: Examination Mode (for IB) on the fx-CG50 or fx-CG100, Press-to-Test on the TI-Nspire CX II. On the TI-84 Plus CE the IB says not to use Press-to-Test: reset the RAM and Archive Vars instead. CAS is not allowed (the TI-Nspire CX II CAS may be used with CAS mode disabled). The IB updates its calculator document each February: your IB coordinator has the current one.
Which calculator for IB Maths?
Every guide here starts with the Casio fx-CG50. 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. Beyond keystrokes: using the GDC to investigate (spot a pattern, test it, then prove it), for Paper 3 and the IA.
Teaching the calculator to a class? The free calculator lessons teach the calculator itself in 12 lessons of about 55 minutes, for the Casio fx-CG50 or the TI-84 Plus CE: the key presses with a screen picture for every step, tasks to check understanding, an exam-style example, practice with answers and a 1-minute quick check.
Which skills does my IB course need?
A GDC is allowed on every AI paper (SL Papers 1 and 2, HL Papers 1, 2 and 3) and on AA Papers 2 and 3. AA Paper 1 is calculator-free. Each guide says which paper and course it is for.
For teachers
Every guide has a Show on the board view (big type, just the steps for the calculator you pick) and a printable one-page keystroke card with a QR code back to the guide. Tick the calculators your class uses on the class page (Settings tab), and your students' guides open on that calculator. For a suggested order by course, see Teaching GDC skills.
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: the steps, and exactly what to type into the free desmos.com/calculator .
Questions
Is a calculator 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. Exam mode goes on immediately before the exam and stays on: Examination Mode (for IB) on the fx-CG50 or fx-CG100, Press-to-Test on the TI-Nspire CX II. On the TI-84 Plus CE the IB says not to use Press-to-Test: reset the RAM and Archive Vars instead. CAS is not allowed (the TI-Nspire CX II CAS may be used with CAS mode disabled). The IB updates its calculator document each February: your IB coordinator has the current one.
Which calculators do these guides cover?
Every guide has the keystrokes for: Casio fx-CG50 (OS 3.80) · TI-84 Plus CE (OS 5.8.x) · TI-Nspire CX II (OS 6.x). Each one ends with the same idea in Desmos, so you can check an answer.
What should I set before the exam?
Check the angle mode (radians or degrees), clear old list data, use Ans and stored values instead of retyping rounded numbers, and practise once in exam mode so nothing surprises you on the day.
What else is free here
- Every syllabus topicA page for each AA and AI sub-topic, with exam-style questions and mark schemes.
- GDC keystrokes by topicTI-Nspire and Casio fx-CG50 guides for the calculator papers.
- Casio fx-CG50 guideEvery menu you need for IB Maths and the exam traps, on one page.
- Free formula sheets (PDF)One page per course, marking which formulas are not in the IB booklet.
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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.