Calculator Use

To evaluate \(2^8\), enter 2, press the power key \(x^y\), enter 8, then press equals. The result is \(256\).

Put a negative base in brackets: \((-2)^4\) is keyed as \((\,-2\,)\), the power key, \(4\), giving \(16\). Without brackets the calculator works out \(-2^4=-(2^4)=-16\). Bracket a product too: \((2\times3)^2\) gives \(36\), but \(2\times3^2\) gives \(18\).

Exam check: estimate before trusting the display. \(2^{10}\approx1000\), so \(2^8=\dfrac{2^{10}}{4}\approx250\), which agrees with \(256\).