UofT Engineering: Calculator

I'll be going into first year engineering at UofT this September (not sure if right decision) but I need to get a new calculator. Currently, I have a Casio FX-991 MS but only the Casio 260, Sharp 520, and Texas Instruments 30 is allowed into some exams and midterms. Which one of the three is a good one to get?

I have seen the Casio 260 and I don't quite like it because it doesn't have a two-line display like the FX-991 MS. I haven't seen the other two yet.

Originally Posted by Gamez_girl

I'll be going into first year engineering at UofT this September (not sure if right decision) but I need to get a new calculator. Currently, I have a Casio FX-991 MS but only the Casio 260, Sharp 520, and Texas Instruments 30 is allowed into some exams and midterms. Which one of the three is a good one to get?

I have seen the Casio 260 and I don't quite like it because it doesn't have a two-line display like the FX-991 MS. I haven't seen the other two yet.

YMMV, I've been using my casio fx-270w for every single ECE midterms/exams and no one cared.

Also, Casio 260 is the biggest POS ever, if you are wussy about it just get the sharp 520 since that's the only one that has two line displays.

The Texas Calc is pretty useless too, some of my friends have them and it's pain to work with.

The Sharp 520 and TI-30 both have two-llne displays.

Originally Posted by StrayB

The Sharp 520 and TI-30 both have two-llne displays.

but it's pain to work with, the buttons are all wanky especially you are used to casio/sharp's counting machines.

As I was saying, if you are wussy about the whole thing, just buy a sharp 520 and bring both the tests, if they won't let you use the 990, then you can use the 520 instead...

I personally use the sharp.... used it since high school, so I got used to it.

It all depends what you're used to. They pretty much are equal functionwise.

As long as you don't bring a Ti-83 or other multi-line programmable graphing calculators, its all good. I've never seen anyone get thrown out cause they didn't have one of the 3 listed.

I would buy the Sharp 520. There was this one question on the exam that required the addition of 20 different real and complex numbers. The Sharp 520 was able to perform complex addition but I think the TI couldn't. Needless to say, people with TI calculators spent too much time working on that exam problem whereas I did it in 2 minutes.

as long as the calculator isn't programmable or graphical, you are fine. you can get it authorized by the admin.

I wouldn't just bring in any non-programmable/graphing calculator. Just buy one of the three calculators that are permitted. In my first year CIV midterm, a professor inspected everyone's calculator and stopped at mine's because I had a really old sharp 520. She took a minute inspecting it before the start of the exam. Needless to say, don't take any chances and just buy another one.

I'd go with the sharp 520.
The restriction on calculator models is only for first year (unless they've changed it).. after that, you can pretty much use any scientific calculator..

Originally Posted by Gamez_girl

I'll be going into first year engineering at UofT this September

Be ready to paint yourself purple, have your hard hat stolen and be rained on with jeers by all the Arts and Science froshes

Although engies do have sick parties.

Have a great frosh week

A&S 0T7

I used the share 520 for 1st year. It's only so you dont cheat in calc
for second year, I used 520 for some classes, but others let you have whatever you want. i was using my ti-83+ for stats and soem other classes!

Be ready to paint yourself purple, have your hard hat stolen and be rained on with jeers by all the Arts and Science froshes

Careful, when you steal our hats, we come after you and dont stop. I chased a guy into queens park where security stopped me from going any further. The hat was later recovered in a garbage can and the A&S was no where to be seen

my my, at UW - we arent allowed to use calculators...

Standards they say - haha

well, i love the current casio one u're using...and i'm sure it should be ok...these guys are always uptight about small things but meh...