Graphing Calculators

[Rxq]

So i'll be in need of a graphing calculator for school.

I was wondering if anyone has tried this cheap one, and let me know if its any good.


Staples BD-6120G Graphing Scientific Calculator

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=&webid=585510&affixedcode=WW

[sz1999]

for $20 more, you can get Casio 9750 from Staples.

[jee_mun001]

for grade 12 math, the ti-83+ is the standard graphing calculator. don't bother getting the fancy, more expensive graphing calculators because some schools may not let you use them during exams because they have additional features that in a way can help you cheat, and it is also harder to use because the teacher are used to the ti-83+ and will not prpbably help you if you don't know how to use your own

[Muttsta]

Honestly, i'd spend the extra cash and get a TI-83 or TI-84. I've tried several kinds of graphing calcs and love these the most. Not to mention they are the most commonly used and if you don't know something you can always ask a fellow owner. They also have a whole site dedicated to addon programs etc.

I have a TI-84 Silver and it was well worth the price

[evman150]

Why do people need graphing calculators?

Other than two weeks in Math 12 and for a couple questions on the final, I have not used a graphing calculator at all. And my school supplied us with them.

Plus, graphing calculators are not allowed in university, at least at my school. In the University of Victoria Department of Mathematics and Statistics (Department of Physics and Astronomy as well for the most part) the only calculator allowed is the Sharp EL-510R:

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9231/calcrm6.jpg

You don't need anything else. You don't even really need any calculator for most of the maths.

In other words, buying a graphing calculator is a total waste of time and if you really have to get one, get the cheapest POS you can, because you'll hardly use it at all.

[gq_fuzion]

at Ryerson, the statistics course requires the Casio fx-9750 PLUS

its a fairly cheap graphing calculator

i personally have that one and the TI-83+ and love the TI more cause of its ease of use and since its also the one i used throughout highschool

[Muttsta]

The Calculus class at my university makes it mandatory that you have a graphing calculator

[evman150]

The Calculus class at my university makes it mandatory that you have a graphing calculator

What branch of calculus needs a graphing calculator? What course is it? Calculus I? II? III? IV? DE I? DE II?

Because none of the content in any of those classes requires a graphing calculator.

[keunganator]

If you need a graphing calculator i have one for sale in the B/S/T forum.

[Sylvestre]

what's funny is it seems more highschools require a calculator than colleges/universities.
during my undergrad, most of 1st & 2nd year exams were without calculators. And those that allowed them definitely didn't allow programmable/graphing types.

[ace321]

it doesnt really help teachers put question to avoid it

[woodywest]

Does anyone know of any computer programs that mimic the Ti-83/Ti-84/etc.? I have seen one in a demo, but was unable to find out how the person got it... does software come included with the calculator?

[Truemana]

I go to the same school as evman. I use the TI-83+ for EVERYTHING, but mostly cause i can see what im doing on the screen. They are useful but not necessary.
The Sharp EL-510R drives me nuts cause i frequently miss and hit the wrong buttons and im just not used to it. I've got a couple friends that swear by it but I can't imagine any calculus course REQUIRING it.

Get a Ti-83 or 84 if you intend to use a calculator often and for a long time (like as a career).

PS evman what prog you in? I'm elec engr, entering 3A.

[mritche]

IMO, one should not need a graphing calculator at all in high school (if a teacher requires it they're probably doing something wrong).

If they're in math/engineering/computer science, the same goes for at least the first two years of undergrad.

[Eyies]

The best calculator that UofT Eng permits, (on some of the courses) is the Sharp EL-520.. but I usually still go and use my beloved high school Casio FX-991.. they don't seem to care as long as it's a non-programmable/graphing one.

[simms]

The best calculator that UofT Eng permits, (on some of the courses) is the Sharp EL-520.. but I usually still go and use my beloved high school Casio FX-991.. they don't seem to care as long as it's a non-programmable/graphing one.

520 FTW.

I've been through 3 redesigns.. when it was grey, then a kiddy white one with see-thru buttons, and now a black one.


Speaking of which, I have a Ti-89 for sale..

[evman150]

I go to the same school as evman. I use the TI-83+ for EVERYTHING, but mostly cause i can see what im doing on the screen. They are useful but not necessary.
The Sharp EL-510R drives me nuts cause i frequently miss and hit the wrong buttons and im just not used to it. I've got a couple friends that swear by it but I can't imagine any calculus course REQUIRING it.

Get a Ti-83 or 84 if you intend to use a calculator often and for a long time (like as a career).

PS evman what prog you in? I'm elec engr, entering 3A.

I suppose for engineering you might need it.

No calculus course requires a calculator, but if you have one, it must be the Sharp EL-510R. And some math courses don't allow a calculator at all.

The truth is, the Sharp is a bad calculator. The x^2 and sqrt buttons are both on 2ndF, which is just ridiculous. The ln and log buttons are not only 2ndF, they are the 2ndF of the 1 and 2 keys. There is no way I should have to go 2ndF+2 to do a natural logarithm.

I'm going into the first semester of third year Astronomy (Physics). If you were at school in Jan-Apr, you might have been in my EE/PHYS 216 class.

[Rxq]

Since i already own a pda with a 3D, 4D, graphing calculator program, i really do not need to buy a graphing calculator.

I'm just worried that i will have to use a grpahing calc on an exam/test/provincial, and i'm sure they wont let me use my pda.

So, will a graphing calc be required during a test/exam/provincial?

If so, should i just go with the one at staples or get a ti-83?

[gq_fuzion]

Since i already own a pda with a 3D, 4D, graphing calculator program, i really do not need to buy a graphing calculator.

I'm just worried that i will have to use a grpahing calc on an exam/test/provincial, and i'm sure they wont let me use my pda.

So, will a graphing calc be required during a test/exam/provincial?

If so, should i just go with the one at staples or get a ti-83?

they definately will not let you use your pda
and some of the functions they ask you to do will be taught with the profs calculator...

they will teach you how to use it, and read the output

[mingming]

http://www.casio.com.tw/scal/images/FX-991MS.gif

This is definitely the best calculator. Casio fx-991MS. Tried all the TI, Sharp, always have to go back to this one.

But as for graphing calculator, i really have NEVER used one. Maybe for a week back in OAC algeo. Im in 4th year Elec in UW. Never encountered a situation where I needed one.

[evman150]

http://www.casio.com.tw/scal/images/FX-991MS.gif

This is definitely the best calculator. Casio fx-991MS. Tried all the TI, Sharp, always have to go back to this one.

But as for graphing calculator, i really have NEVER used one. Maybe for a week back in OAC algeo. Im in 4th year Elec in UW. Never encountered a situation where I needed one.

That was my calculator in high school.

Absolute GOLD. I only wish I could use it now.

[Tharyn]

http://www.casio.com.tw/scal/images/FX-991MS.gif

This is definitely the best calculator. Casio fx-991MS. Tried all the TI, Sharp, always have to go back to this one.

But as for graphing calculator, i really have NEVER used one. Maybe for a week back in OAC algeo. Im in 4th year Elec in UW. Never encountered a situation where I needed one.

I agree, hands down the best calculator ever for university. I'm in a similar situation, I'm going into 3B Electrical at UW and have NEVER once used a graphing calculator.

The only time I used on was back in high school for Gr. 12 Calc because it was part of the curiculum.

Either way, you go to university to learn the methodology behind a calculation, not how to push buttons.

[mingming]

I agree, hands down the best calculator ever for university. I'm in a similar situation, I'm going into 3B Electrical at UW and have NEVER once used a graphing calculator.

The only time I used on was back in high school for Gr. 12 Calc because it was part of the curiculum.

Either way, you go to university to learn the methodology behind a calculation, not how to push buttons.

Well, there's always Matlab to do plots, simulations, etc. :cheesygri :cheesygri

[Soulcatcher]

What branch of calculus needs a graphing calculator? What course is it? Calculus I? II? III? IV? DE I? DE II?

Because none of the content in any of those classes requires a graphing calculator.

It doesnt, but it sure helps a lot. At least it helped me. Plus the main point of the "graphing" calculator isnt drawing graphs (which is nice too), it's symbolic math. I didnt enjoy solving some stupid assignments in my 2nd year calculus that required 2 pages of mechanical work. With my calc it was a breeze.

Oh, and dont forget about matrices. In my linear programming course i would've gone crazy without it.

[mingming]

Oh, and dont forget about matrices. In my linear programming course i would've gone crazy without it.

Ya, the CASIO calculator I recommend does matricies too. It definitely saved me during the exams when finding all the inverses, determinants, etc.

[Soulcatcher]

Ya, the CASIO calculator I recommend does matricies too. It definitely saved me during the exams when finding all the inverses, determinants, etc.

I'm sorry, but your Casio (which i have, btw) cant do **** with matrices :)

Firstly, it can deal with 3x3 matrices max. Secondly, it can do only the simplest operations. Finally, it's very uncomfortable - working with matrices on 2-line display is kinda like masochism :)

The only virtue i guess is that you could use it on the exams, but with 3x3 matrices i can do it faster by hand than with this casio :)

[Rxq]

I have the casio calc. Since I havent start doing graphs and matrix yet, will one of thsoe work?

if so how?

I'll still need a graphing calc though

[deeplove]

http://www.casio.com.tw/scal/images/FX-991MS.gif

This is definitely the best calculator. Casio fx-991MS. Tried all the TI, Sharp, always have to go back to this one.

But as for graphing calculator, i really have NEVER used one. Maybe for a week back in OAC algeo. Im in 4th year Elec in UW. Never encountered a situation where I needed one.

i can't agree with mingming anymore. At the beginning of our calc course (1st year) we were told we must get one of 3 really crappy calculators without the memory bar. so you have to HOPE you're doing everything right.
So I got that, I still ended up using my casio on tests just like everybody else. the TA's don't care.
It's much better!!! Don't waste your money on those crappy calculators.

for matrices we have to do it with our brain. we can't use graphing calculator :P so yep. can't use graphing calculator in my course. mat133y

[sxz]

Do graphing calculators give any advantage (over the FX-991) or help at all in accounting courses?

[sz1999]

Best calculator is HP 50G.

[killer_chan]

I have a used Texas Instruments TI-85 Graphing Calculator, FS $50 OBO :)

Used for one semestor for Algebra, about 7 yrs ago.

Located just east of downtown Toronto