When using a calculator to find the square root of a number what is the correct sequence of steps?

Assuming you have a scientific calculator which has a square root button ([√]) the method depends upon which calculator you have, and in what mode the calculator is set.

The most recent Casio calculators have two modes of entry: MathIO and LineIO. InMathIO the sequence is:

[√] [<expression>] [=]

In LineIO, if the <expression> is more than one number brackets needs to be entered:

[√] [(] [<expression>] [)] [=]

This LineIO type of entry is used on the older Casio calculators. With older models of Casio calculators, and other manufacturers the functions work on the displayed value which is replaced by the value if the function. With these calculators, the expression is entered first and then the square root key is pressed:

[(] [<expression> [)] [√]

parentheses are only needed if the square root is of an expression.

Examples:

Square root of 16

MathIO: [√] [1] [6] [=]

LineIO: [√] [1] [6] [=]

Other: [1] [6] [√]

Using Pythagoras to find the hypotenuse of a right angle triangle with sides 3 and 4:

MathIO: [√] [3] [x²] [+] [4] [x²] [=]

LineIO: [√] [(] [3] [x²] [+] [4] [x²] [)] [=]

Other:[(] [3] [x²] [+] [4] [x²] [)] [√]

With MathIO the square root symbol extends over the expression as each key is pressed which is why the parentheses are not needed in the last example.