Quick start guide

MM82 Plus
Scientific
Calculator

Everything you need for maths and science from Year 7 to Year 13, in the order you'll actually need it. Every step shows the keys to press and what should be on the screen.

NZQA Approved

01 — Start here

Set up in 60 seconds

Do this once, when you take the calculator out of the box. It puts every setting back to how it left the factory, so what you see matches this guide.

Take it out of the case and turn it on

Slide the hard case down and off, then clip it onto the back of the calculator while you work.
ON
Turns it on. It runs on light (the solar panel above the screen) with a AAA battery as backup.
SHIFTACOFF
Turns it off. If you leave it alone for about 10 minutes it turns itself off, and keeps your work.

Reset everything

SHIFT9CLR
Opens the clear menu: 1 Setup, 2 Memory, 3 All.
3All
Choose All. It asks you to confirm.
=Yes→AC
= means yes. Settings, memory and stored numbers are all cleared. AC takes you back to a blank working screen.
D Math

Look at the top line. D means degrees and Math means answers are shown the way your textbook writes them.

Check this firstIf you ever get a strange answer, look for D and Math at the top of the screen before anything else. Most wrong answers come from the angle setting.

Degrees or radians

Degrees for triangles and angles in Years 7 to 13. Radians only if your teacher asks for them.

SHIFTMODESETUP
Opens the setup menu.
1:MthIO  2:LineIO
3:Deg    4:Rad
5:Gra    6:Fix
7:Sci    8:Norm
The setup menu. Press ▼ for the second page.
3Deg
Degrees. Press 4 instead for radians: an R shows at the top instead of D.

Textbook-style answers (Math display)

After a reset this is already on. If someone has switched it off, fractions show as 7⌟6 and roots as decimals. To switch it back:

SHIFTMODESETUP1MthIO1MathO
Math shows at the top again.

Screen too faint or too dark

SHIFTMODESETUP▼5CONT
Opens the contrast screen. Use ◀ and ▶ to make it lighter or darker, then AC.
If it's still faint after adjusting, the battery is low. See section 11.

02 — The basics

Modes & the setup menu

The MM82 Plus has three modes. Press MODE and then a number to change mode. You'll spend most of your time in COMP.

MODE
The mode menu.
1:COMP 2:STAT
3:TABLE

1COMPEveryday calculations: fractions, powers, trig, percentages

2STATStatistics from a list of data, and lines of best fit

3TABLEA table of values from a rule f(x)

What the setup menu changes

Setup menu: SHIFT MODE
Press	What it does
1 MthIO	Math display: fractions, roots and π look like your textbook (recommended)
2 LineIO	Line display: everything on one line, fractions as 7⌟6
3 Deg 4 Rad	Angles in degrees or radians
6 Fix	Round every answer to a set number of decimal places (0 to 9)
7 Sci	Show every answer to a set number of significant figures
8 Norm 1	Back to normal answers (undoes Fix and Sci)
▼ 1 ▼ 2	Fraction answers as mixed (2 ⅓) or improper (7/3)
▼ 3 STAT	Adds a FREQ column to the statistics editor, for frequency tables
▼ 5 CONT	Screen contrast

03 — Reference

Everyday keys

Yellow labels above a key are reached with SHIFT. Red labels are reached with ALPHA. Press SHIFT or ALPHA first, then the key, one after the other.

The shortcuts you'll use most
What you want	Press
Fraction
Mixed number	SHIFT
Switch an answer between fraction and decimal	S⇔D
Switch between mixed and improper fraction	SHIFT S⇔D
Get a decimal answer straight away	SHIFT = instead of =
Square root · cube root	√ · SHIFT √
Square · cube	x² · x³
Any power · any root	x · SHIFT x
π	SHIFT ×10^x
Negative number	(−) (not the − key)
Percent	SHIFT ( %
Use the last answer	Ans
Delete one thing · clear the line	DEL · AC
Fix the last calculation	◀ or ▶ straight after the answer
Look back at earlier answers	▲ and ▼
Comma (for log_ab and similar)	SHIFT )
Prime factors	SHIFT °′″ FACT after an answer
Factorial · nPr · nCr	SHIFT x⁻¹ · SHIFT × · SHIFT ÷
Random number	SHIFT · Ran#

04 — Number

Fractions, decimals & percentages

With Math display on, fractions go in and come out the way you'd write them.

Worked example — adding fractionsWork out 23 + 12.

2▼3▶
The fraction key gives you an empty fraction. Type the top, ▼ to the bottom, then ▶ to step out of it.
+1▼2=
Add the second fraction and press =.
D Math
23+12
76
S⇔D
Switches the answer to a decimal. Press it again to go back.
D Math
23+12
1.166666667
SHIFTS⇔D
Switches between an improper fraction and a mixed number.
D Math
23+12
116

Worked example — mixed numbersWork out 4 − 312.

4−SHIFT
SHIFT then the fraction key gives a mixed-number template.
3▶1▼2=
Whole number, ▶, top, ▼, bottom, then =.
D Math
4−312
12

Percentages

The % sign is SHIFT (. Type it straight after the number it belongs to.

150×20SHIFT(%=
20% of 150.
D Math
150×20%
30
80+80×15SHIFT(%=
Add 15% GST to $80.
D Math
80+80×15%
92
60−60×25SHIFT(%=
A $60 jacket with 25% off.
D Math
60−60×25%
45
660÷880SHIFT(%=
660 as a percentage of 880.
D Math
660÷880%
75

Prime factors

1014=→SHIFT°′″FACT
Type a whole number, press =, then FACT. It works for numbers up to 10 digits.
D Math

2×3×13²

05 — Number

Powers, roots & standard form

In Math display, roots and powers open a small box. Type inside it, then press ▶ to come back out.

√2▶×3=
Square root of 2, times 3. The answer stays exact.
D Math
√2×3
3√2
S⇔D
As a decimal.
D Math
√2×3
4.242640687
√5x²+12x²=
Pythagoras: the hypotenuse of a 5, 12 triangle.
D Math
√(5²+12²)
13
2x10=
Any power: 2 to the power of 10.
D Math
2¹⁰
1024
SHIFTx5▶32=
Any root: the fifth root of 32.
D Math
⁵√32
2

Watch outTo square a negative number, put it in brackets: ( (−) 3 ) x² gives 9. Without brackets, (−) 3 x² gives −9, because the calculator squares first.

Standard form

Use ×10^x for “times ten to the power of”. Answers of 10,000,000,000 or more, or smaller than 0.01, are shown in standard form automatically.

5.2×10^x12÷4=
(5.2 × 10¹²) ÷ 4.
D Math
5.2×10¹²÷4
1.3×10¹²
3×10^x8×2.5×10^x(−)3=
Use (−) for a negative power.
D Math
3×10⁸×2.5×10⁻³
750000

Rounding every answer

SHIFTMODE6Fix2
Every answer is rounded to 2 decimal places. FIX shows at the top.
FIX D Math
10÷3
3.33
Shown after typing 10 ÷ 3 =.
SHIFTMODE7Sci3
Every answer to 3 significant figures instead.
SHIFTMODE8Norm1
Back to normal. Do this before you hand the calculator to someone else.

06 — Measurement

Trigonometry

Check for D at the top of the screen first. If you see R, press SHIFT MODE 3 to go back to degrees.

Finding a side

15×cos40)=
The side next to a 40° angle when the hypotenuse is 15: 15 × cos 40°.
D Math
15×cos(40)
11.49066665
sin35)=
The sin key opens a bracket for you. Close it with ).
D Math
sin(35)
0.5735764364

Finding an angle

The inverse functions are the yellow labels above sin, cos and tan.

SHIFTsin7▼12▶)=
The angle whose sine is 712 (opposite 7, hypotenuse 12).
D Math
sin⁻¹(712)
35.68533471
°′″
Press the °′″ key to see it in degrees, minutes and seconds: about 35° 41′ 7″. Press it again to go back.

Exact valuesWith Math display on, some answers come out exact, like 12 for sin 30°. Press S⇔D for the decimal.

07 — Statistics

Statistics

Type your data into the statistics editor, then ask for the mean, standard deviation and more. Your data is deleted when you leave STAT mode, so do everything you need before you switch.

Worked example — mean and standard deviationQuiz scores: 12, 15, 15, 17, 18, 21.

MODE2STAT
Choose the type of statistics.
1:1-VAR  2:A+BX
3:_+CX²  4:ln X
5:e^X    6:A·B^X
7:A·X^B  8:1/X
1-VAR is one list of numbers. The others are lines and curves of best fit.
11-VAR
The editor opens with an empty X column.
X
1
2
3
12=15=15=17=18=21=
Type each value and press = after it. The cursor moves down a row each time.
X
518
621
7
AC
Leaves the editor. Your data is kept.
SHIFT1STAT4Var2x̄=
The mean.
x̄
16.33333333
SHIFT143σx=
Standard deviation of a whole population (σx).
σx
2.808716591
SHIFT144sx=
Standard deviation of a sample (sx).
sx
3.076794869
SHIFT15MinMax1
Smallest value. Use 2 instead for the largest. Press = to see it.

Worked example — line of best fitHours of study (x) and test mark (y): (1, 52), (2, 58), (3, 61), (4, 70), (5, 74).

MODE2STAT2A+BX
Linear: the line y = A + Bx. The editor now has X and Y columns.
1=2=3=4=5=
Type the x values.
▶▲to row 1
Use the arrow keys to move to the top of the Y column.
52=58=61=70=74=
Type the y values.
XY
4470
5574
6
AC→SHIFT15Reg1A=
A is where the line crosses the y-axis.
A
46.2
SHIFT152B=
B is the gradient.
B
5.6
SHIFT153r=
r is the correlation coefficient: close to 1 is a strong positive relationship.
r
0.9899494937
6SHIFT155ŷ=
Predicted mark for 6 hours of study.
6ŷ
79.8

Frequency tablesTo type a frequency table instead of every value, switch on the FREQ column: SHIFT MODE ▼ 3 STAT 1 ON. Do this before you enter data: changing it clears the editor.

08 — Algebra

Tables of values

TABLE mode works out f(x) for a range of x values. Handy for plotting a graph by hand.

Worked exampleMake a table for f(x) = x² − 2x from x = −1 to 3.

MODE3TABLE
f(X)=▌
ALPHA)Xx²−2ALPHA)X
X is the red label above ).
f(X)=X²−2X
=
It asks for the first x value. 1 is filled in for you.
Start?
1
(−)1=
Start at −1. Now it asks for the last x value.
End?
5
3=
End at 3. Now it asks how much x goes up by each row.
Step?
1
1=
Steps of 1. The table appears.
XF(X)
1−13
200
31−1
Use ▼ to scroll down. AC goes back to the rule.

A table can have up to 30 rows. Ask for more and you'll see Insufficient MEM: make the range smaller or the step bigger.

09 — Memory

Answers & memory

The calculator keeps your last answer, and up to nine stored numbers, even when you turn it off.

Using the last answer

3×4=
D Math
3×4
12
÷30=
Start the next line with an operation and it carries on from the answer.
D Math
Ans÷30
25

Storing a number

3+5SHIFTRCLSTO(−)A
Works out 3 + 5 and stores 8 as A. A to F, X, Y and M are the red labels on the keys.
ALPHA(−)A×10=
Uses A in a calculation.
D Math
A×10
80

Clearing the memory

SHIFT9CLR2Memory=Yes
Clears Ans, M and every stored number. Your settings stay as they are.

10 — Exams

Before an exam

The MM82 Plus is on NZQA's list of approved calculators. Always check your school's own rules for each exam as well.

If you're asked to clear it

SHIFT9CLR3All=Yes→AC
Clears everything and puts every setting back to normal.

In the first minute of the exam

Look for D at the top of the screen for degrees (or R if the paper uses radians).
Look for Math at the top, so fractions and roots show properly.
Make sure FIX or SCI isn't showing, unless you want every answer rounded.
If the screen looks faint, sit near the light. It runs on solar with a battery backup.

Good habitWrite down the full answer from the screen, then round it, so your working shows where you rounded.

11 — Troubleshooting

Error messages & batteries

When an error shows, press ◀ or ▶ to jump to the place in your calculation where the problem is, fix it and press = again. Or press AC to clear it and start again.

Error messages
Message	What it means	What to do
Syntax ERROR	Something is typed in a way the calculator can't read, often a missing bracket or two operations in a row.	Press ◀ and fix the typing.
Math ERROR	The answer can't be worked out: dividing by zero, a number too big, or something like the square root of a negative.	Check the numbers. For inverse trig, the value must be between −1 and 1.
Stack ERROR	The calculation is too long or has too many brackets inside brackets.	Split it into two parts. Use Ans for the second part.
Insufficient MEM	A table would have more than 30 rows.	Change Start, End or Step.
Argument ERROR	A whole number was needed, for example in a random integer.	Use whole numbers.

Still not right?

Check you're in the right mode for what you're doing (MODE 1 for everyday maths).
Press ON. It runs a quick self-check.
Reset the settings: SHIFT 9 1 Setup =. Your stored numbers stay.
Still stuck? Email us. The MM82 Plus has a 3-year warranty.

Batteries

It runs on solar power with one AAA battery as backup. If the screen stays faint after you've adjusted the contrast, or nothing shows when you turn it on, replace the battery. The manual also suggests replacing it at least every three years, even if it's still working.

SHIFTACOFF
Turn it off first.
Undo the screws on the back cover, swap the AAA battery (check + and − face the right way) and put the cover back.
ONSHIFT93=AC
Reset it. Don't skip this: taking the battery out clears the memory and can leave odd settings behind.

Mana Mātauranga — calculators made for New Zealand classrooms. This guide is based on the manufacturer's manual that comes in the box, which has the full details. Questions about your MM82 Plus? Email info@manamatauranga.com or call 021 088 34176.