How do you calculate the factorial of 5 using a calculator?

To calculate the factorial of 5 using a calculator, multiply 5 by each positive integer less than it.

Factorial, denoted as \( n! \), is the product of all positive integers up to \( n \). For \( 5! \), you multiply 5 by 4, then by 3, then by 2, and finally by 1. So, \( 5! = 5 \times 4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1 \).

On a basic calculator, you would do the following steps:
1. Enter 5.
2. Press the multiplication button (×).
3. Enter 4 and press the equals button (=).
4. Take the result, press the multiplication button (×) again.
5. Enter 3 and press equals (=).
6. Repeat this process for 2 and 1.

Some scientific calculators have a factorial button, often labelled as \( n! \). If your calculator has this:
1. Enter 5.
2. Press the \( n! \) button.

The result for \( 5! \) is 120. This method ensures you understand the process behind factorials, which is useful for more complex problems in GCSE Maths.