An Investigation into Calculator Usage in Mathematics Exams

This report investigates the effects of calculator use in math tests. The study compares test scores with and without calculator access, utilizing t-tests and exploratory data analysis to determine the impact on student performance. The report presents the results of hypothesis testing, including mean scores, variance, and p-values, to assess the significance of calculator usage on test duration, word count, and calculation errors. The findings suggest a need-based tendency for calculator use, particularly on moderate and hard sums, and discuss the implications for appropriate technology usage in math education. The study concludes with a discussion of the results and references relevant literature on math anxiety and calculator usage.