What situation prompts the Use a Calculator Icon to be shown?

The Use a Calculator Icon is displayed in situations that are specific and not part of the regular curriculum, which often promotes mental math and problem-solving skills. This icon indicates that a calculator can be utilized in rare cases where it is allowed, typically for complex calculations that may be cumbersome or time-consuming to perform manually.

Using a calculator in these instances is a tool to aid students without undermining their arithmetic learning progression. It helps them focus on higher-order thinking problems or when the numbers involved are too large or complex for practical manual calculation, ensuring that their understanding of math concepts remains central.

Other scenarios, such as basic arithmetic operations or all problems, do not warrant the use of a calculator, as these can usually be handled by mental math or straightforward computation. The intention is to strike a balance between leveraging technology and fostering foundational arithmetic skills.