The effect of calculator use on the errors Algebra 1 students make on percent problems

This study was designed to determine what errors students make on Algebra 1 percent problems. The effect of calculator use on total quiz scores and type of errors made was also considered.;Students were given two four-question percent quizzes. One quiz was taken with a calculator, the other without.;Mean scores were compared for quizzes taken with and without calculators. Although the mean score was higher for quizzes taken with calculators, this difference was not significant at p = .05.;The total number of questions missed was significantly lower with calculators. The percent of computational errors was significantly higher for quizzes taken without calculators when compared to the percent of computational errors made when calculators were used.;The researcher recommends that Algebra 1 students should use calculators. Additional studies are needed to determine if these findings can be generalized to other concepts and levels of mathematics.