How to Use — Button Guide
A complete walkthrough of every button on Calvo's scientific calculator.
Calvo's calculator is modeled on a real scientific calculator (Casio-style), so every button has a main function printed on it, and many buttons also have a second (shift) function printed above them in a smaller color. This guide explains what every key does and how to access both functions.
Golden Rule: To use a key's normal (white) function, just tap it. To use a key's shift (upper) function, first tap the SHIFT key — the display will show a "SHIFT" indicator — then tap the key you want. For example, pressing SHIFT then √ gives you x² instead of the square root.
1. Mode & Control Keys
| Button | What it does |
|---|
| SHIFT |
Activates the second (upper) function of the next key you press. Tap it once, the SHIFT indicator lights up on screen, then tap any key to use its shift function. |
| ALPHA |
Switches into letter-input mode, used for storing values into memory variables (like A, B, C) and for the CALC/SOLVE features. |
| MODE |
Opens the calculator's mode/settings options (used to switch calculation settings). |
| ON |
Resets the calculator — clears the current calculation and starts fresh, similar to a power-on reset. |
| REPLAY (▲ / ▼) |
Moves the cursor left/right or up/down through a previous calculation so you can review or edit it before recalculating. |
| AC |
All Clear — wipes the entire screen and starts a brand-new calculation. |
| DEL |
Deletes the last character/digit you entered (like backspace). |
2. Numbers & Basic Operations
| Button | What it does |
|---|
| 0–9 |
Enter digits for your number. |
| . |
Adds a decimal point to enter fractional numbers (e.g. 3.14). |
| + − × ÷ |
Basic arithmetic — addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. |
| (-) |
Enters a negative sign before a number (different from the subtraction key), e.g. (-)5 gives −5. |
| ( ) |
Open and close brackets, used to control the order of operations in longer expressions. |
| = |
Calculates and shows the final result of your expression. |
| Ans |
Recalls the result of your last calculation, so you can reuse it in a new expression. |
3. Scientific & Trigonometric Functions
| Button | What it does |
|---|
| sin cos tanSHIFT → sin⁻¹ / cos⁻¹ / tan⁻¹ |
Trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent). Press SHIFT first to get the inverse functions (arcsin, arccos, arctan), which are also directly available as separate asin/acos keys. |
| hyp |
Switches sin/cos/tan into their hyperbolic versions (sinh, cosh, tanh) — the HYP indicator lights up on screen. |
| logSHIFT → 10ʹ |
Base-10 logarithm. With SHIFT, it becomes 10 raised to a power (the inverse of log). |
| lnSHIFT → eʹ |
Natural logarithm (base e). With SHIFT, it becomes e raised to a power. |
| π e |
Instantly inserts the constants pi (3.14159…) and Euler's number e (2.71828…). |
| √SHIFT → x² |
Square root. With SHIFT, squares the number instead (x²). x² is also its own direct key. |
| x³SHIFT → ∛ |
Cubes the number (x³). With SHIFT, gives the cube root instead. |
| xʸSHIFT → x√ |
Raises a number to any power you type (e.g. 2^5). With SHIFT, calculates the nth-root the other way round. |
| ⁿ√ (nrt) |
Calculates the nth root of a number directly (e.g. cube root, 4th root, etc.). |
| x²SHIFT → x! |
Squares a number. With SHIFT, calculates the factorial (x!) instead — e.g. 5! = 120. |
| abs |
Gives the absolute (positive) value of a number, ignoring its sign. |
| % |
Percentage calculations — turns a number into a percentage or applies a percent operation directly. |
| EXP |
Enters scientific notation quickly — lets you type a number like 5 EXP 3 to mean 5×10³. |
| ×10ʸ |
Shortcut to multiply the current number by 10 raised to a power you choose — handy for scientific notation. |
| ENG |
Switches the displayed result into engineering notation (powers of 10 in steps of 3), commonly used in physics and engineering. |
| ∫ |
Opens integral calculation input, for definite integrals in calculus. |
| S⇔D |
Toggles the displayed answer between fraction form and decimal form. |
| CALC |
Used together with ALPHA to evaluate an expression containing a variable (like x) after you enter a value for it. |
4. Memory Keys
| Button | What it does |
|---|
| M+SHIFT → M− |
Adds the current result to the calculator's memory. With SHIFT, subtracts it from memory instead. The "M" indicator lights up on screen once memory holds a value. |
| MR |
Memory Recall — brings back whatever value is stored in memory. |
| MC |
Memory Clear — wipes the stored memory value back to zero. |
| RCL |
Recalls the value stored in a specific variable (used together with ALPHA and a letter, e.g. A, B, C). |
5. Display Indicators
At the top of the calculator screen, small labels light up to tell you the current status:
- DEG — angles are being calculated in degrees (this can be changed to radians/gradians from MODE).
- SHIFT — SHIFT is active; the next key press will use its upper function.
- ALPHA — ALPHA is active; the next key press will input a letter/variable.
- HYP — hyperbolic trig mode is active for sin/cos/tan.
- M — a value is currently stored in memory.
- READY — the calculator is idle and ready for your next input.
Beyond the calculator: Calvo also has dedicated tabs at the top for Formulas, Past Papers, History, Unit Convert, Percentage/GPA, AI Solver, Quiz, Graph, Equations, Matrix, Programmer, Statistics, Subject Tools and a Study Timer — each works like its own mini-tool, just tap the tab to switch.
6. Need More Help?
Still confused about a specific function or calculation? Reach out anytime at usmaniftikhar2803@gmail.com and we'll be happy to help.