Fractions? this calculator doesn't have a fractions key?????

Look for the key that has the template of a fraction : A solid white rectangle, a fraction bar an an empty rectangle. That key should be between the CALC key and the change sign key (-).
If you press SHIFT followed by the fraction template key the calculator displays the template of a mixed fraction. In the rectangles type in the integer part, the numerator and the denominator. Use the arrow keys to move from one rectangle to the next.

The F-D key converts from fraction to decimal and vice versa. The key to the left of the F-F key, and which is marked a b/c is the one used to enter fractions. The SHIFT F-D sequence toggles between improper fraction and mixed number. The OS of this calculator does not allow the displaying of stacked fractions.

Most of the time a ratio is nothing but the division of two quantities. If you have a fraction key, enter one term of the ratio as numerator, and the second term as denominator. If you do not have a fraction key just use the division key.
According to the name Fraction Mate, you calculator can do fractions. Enter your ratios as you would fractions.

To configure the calculator to do fractions, set the Input/Output mode to MathIO.
Press [SHIFT][MODE] to open (SetUp) then select [1:MathIO].
After you set it to MathIO, pressing the fraction key will display a fraction template where you can enter numerator and denominator as you would by hand (horizontal fraction bar). Also, the calculator will display results as fractions and radicals whenever possible.
To perform arithmetic operations on fractions use the regular operation keys (x, +, -, /). The calculator will perform the operations and display the results as fractions (whenever possible).

The calculator has a key marked with two squares on top of one another and with a fraction bar between them. The key is to the left, below the ABS key..
The shifted function of that key is the mixed fraction [a b/c]. I am not convinced you need a specific key to enter a mixed fraction: you can just type in the integer part (whole part) then + then use the fraction key (the one with the two squares.)

Hi eamon at hom,

Doing fraction on the Sharp El 531W really isn't that bad. I had to use pictures because, the symbols will not transfer over to your posting for me to show you. When you select the [ON/C] this clears the calculator of previous calculations and, data so that they won't interfere with your new calculations.

Let take the first example where a mix number is being added to a improper fraction. Because I used the [a^b/c] key this makes the calculator display the answer in a mixed fraction format or, a proper fraction format. If I press the [a^b/c] key again after the answer the format will change to a decimal format. The fractional formats are displayed in a mixed number, improper or, proper fraction formats. A improper fraction is really a proper fraction number with the top number (numerator) is greater than or equal to the bottom number (denominator).

[ON/C] [3] [a^b/c] [1] [ [a^b/c] [2] [+] [4] [a^b/c] [3] [=] mixed number results. Now let's do the same calculation as a improper or, proper fraction format.
[ON/C] [7] [a^b/c] [2] [+] [2] [a^b/c] [3] [=] still a mixed number result. Even though I enter the fractions in a improper and, proper fraction formats the calculator will still display in a mixed number format. This is because the calculator first displays as a mixed number if it can. If it can't then it will display the value as a proper fraction and, never as a improper fraction. To convert from a mixed number to a improper fraction format if the calculator did not convert it to a proper fraction, I have to use [2ndF] [d/c] keys on the command line.



This show a little more complex raised power use of the [a^b/c] key.

This shows the [2ndf] [x^-1] keys being used to calculate fractions.


When I first saw this question being asked it, was answered with just use the / command. Which that isn't really a good answer because, in math we like to use elimination. If you use the / command eventually the numbers are going to be rounded off and, your not going to be able to eliminate anything. If you have any further question on how to preform fractions with this calculator be sure to post your comment and, I'll be glad to help.

In math IO mode, press the key marked with a two-level fraction symbol (1 solid square in numerator, fraction bar, 1 empty square as denominator.) A fraction template is displayed. Use the up or down key to move cursor to numerator or denominator. Press [=] key when finished.

This calculator, although very sophisticated, is rather unfit for heavy fraction calculations. There is no dedicated fraction key, but you can use the [MATH] menu to access a ToFraction command: symbolized by a fat arrow and Frac.
I am enclosing a few screen captures to help you figure out how to use your calculator to manipulate fractions. To get the first screen you press the [MATH] key (below the [ALPHA] key. The ToFraction command is the first one in the list. The second item allows you to convert a fraction to a decimal number.


In the following screen I show you how to enter a fraction (division key) and keep it in fraction form, albeit reduced. Fractions are reduced to their simplest terms

In the last screen, I show you how to convert a fraction to a decimal number by making use of the ToDecimal command (last command line on the left, result is one line down and to the right.)

If you enter an improper fraction or a mixed fraction with the the [a b/c] key it will be displayed as a fraction. This result being displayed you can press the [F-D] key to convert the fraction to decimal. If you do nothing else and you press the [F-D] key again, the original fraction will be restored.

However, it seems that you cannot enter an arbitrary decimal number and convert it to a fraction. The [F-D] key seems to work one way : from a fraction to a decimal number. You will only recover a fraction if the original number was a fraction.

I checked the manual for the EL-501W calculator and I found out that it does not do fraction calculations. However yours may be able to. Look for a key labeled [a b/c] and a [2ndF] key [d/c].

If you have them then you can calculate with fractions.

The way to use the [a b/c] key is as follows
15 [a b/c] 7 [a b/c] 19 [a b/c] should allow you to enter 15 and 7/19.
A mixed fraction can be converted into an improper fraction by pressing [2ndF][d/c]