fractional symbols and ¢ sign on keys, how to use?

I bought a 17" alienware last night. I upgraded it from windows 8 to 10, and now I'm wondering how I use all these fancy extra symbols on my keys. some of these keys have 5 different symbols on them. i'd like to be able to use them.

for example how do I use the "±" symbol on my "1" key, or the "¢" on my "4" key.

- what key combo gets me these?
- I chose "US" for my keyboard layout, should I change this?
- why do some keys have up to five different symbols?

I did try to search first without a good result. thank you in advance. I truly appreciate this forum. -robert

 

just coming back to update this... after calling dell i had a few issues and i'm returning this thing later.

-dell says my computer(from microcenter in chicago) has a french/english keyboard, and it would be better if i left it alone and didn't use the extra symbols on the keys. that kinda pissed me off. there's a ¢ on my four key, a ¼ on my 0 key, and all three apostrophes(apostrophie, quote, and back quote) to make linux scripting a breeze. but they said i should ignore those. well, i can't. i know all the alt codes, but WTH why have the keys then, ya know?

-when i called to ask about the keyboard they told me my two day old computer was under warranty until 12/16, so they were trying to skimp me out of four months. they said they will correct it, but buyer beware.

-the store now has a newer faster model of this computer for a few hundred more, so provided that there are no symbols on the keyboard that i can't use, i'll buy it.......and then call dell to make sure i get every day of the warranty i'm entitled to.

 

have you tried using the function key (FN) then pressing one of the keys with the characters you want to use?

 

yes. i tried the function key, as well as every key and key combo i could dream up. none made a difference. it seemed like i'd need to pick a different keyboard driver. i ended up returning that PC and buying their newest 17 r3. they hadn't even put this one on display yet. they also knocked $50 off

besides being faster, this one has a normal US keyboard. the other one had an "English/French MUI Keyboard"

 

Well, at least you got another one in return. I was afraid we'd lost you due to this haha. Enjoy the new lappy.