Math Calculators, Conversions, Formulas & Reference Tables:
The Definitive Guide for Students

Math is used to provide simple and accurate answers to solve problems, whether they are theoretical problems or real world problems in various fields such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, engineering, construction, business, and more. However, in order to find these answers, sometimes a complicated route must be taken in order to find the correct answer. Initially when students learn math, the problems are simple such as eating two apples from a pile of five apples leaves only three.  This kind of problem can be easily solved in a person's head, but soon math becomes a great deal more complicated.

For example, if a person wants to know how much money he could make in ten years if he or she puts a $1000 in an account that has an interest rate of 5% compounded annually, there is a specific formula that is used to solve this problem.   This requires a specific formula called the compound interest formula: A = P (1+r/n)^nt. Using this formal, a person takes a complicated problem and puts the correct numbers in the place of the symbols to solve the problem. In this case, the answer turns out to be about $1628.89. In other situations, for example in cooking, many people are faced with the problem of conversion. If a person from America tries using a recipe from another country that uses the metric system, they will then need to convert those measurements into standard measurements. Metric converters also add ease for converting between different measurements instead of having to keep both measuring systems memorized.

In Algebra, many students begin learning how to graph. While graphing by pencil and paper can be done, the lines and measurements are not the most accurate and become increasingly difficult to replicate when the numbers themselves become more complicated.  Graphing calculators provide the most accurate drawings of graphs, and provide the information quickly and precisely.  Algebra also introduces various symbols that function to give a simple representation of an idea with a complicated meaning. For example π (a Greek alphabet symbol pronounced pi) represents a number that usually is shown as 3.14 however there is actually an infinite, non-sequential series of numbers after the decimal point. This number is used in solving equations with circles, but rather than using the entire number, the π symbol is used. This is for the ease of the problem solver and the problem writer. Charts with these symbols and their meanings provide ease for students who need to make a quick reference to an unfamiliar symbol.

Geometry and trigonometry solve math problems using knowledge and rules about shapes. Famous formulas here include the Pythagorean formula (a^2 + b^2 = c^2) and the usage of sine, cosine, and tangent to solve sides and angles of shapes. There are reference tables for how to use sine, cosine, and tangent and in what situations that students can use them. Once again, reference tables help students from having to keep these formulas and rules memorized. 

Statistics is an even more complicated kind of mathematics and often requires students to look up numbers from a chart in order to solve a problem. For example, there is a critical z score that requires to either be consulted in a statistical chart or determined on a calculator. This number along with several other numbers is then used to compute the margin of error, or in laymen's terms the likelihood that the information gathered in a sample size is accurate to reality, in a statistical problem. 

Math, while providing simple and accurate answers, can take many complicated routes in order to find these answers. For students, scientists, and mathematicians alike, certain tools are necessary to help aide. Provided are a list of calculators, converters, tables, charts, and formulas to help students while solving math problems:

Math Calculators

Math Converters

Math Formulas

Math Tables