I will be taking math classes up to Calc I and two physics classes. So I am looking to get a decent calculator. Any suggestions? I would like to keep the cost under $200.
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CambiataCommander ShepardThe likes of which even GAWD has never seenRegistered Userregular
edited March 2018
I bought this one when I started in on advanced math:
Edit: though based on the description, it's not necessarily the best one if you're looking for a physics calculator.
Double-edit: Although that calculator was the one specifically requested that I use by the university. Some calculators were actually *prohibited*, so your best bet is actually to look up the class and see what calculator(s) they recommend. All the TI-Nspire models were banned in my math classes.
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zepherinRussian warship, go fuck yourselfRegistered Userregular
To-84 is pretty good, but if the classes allow a ti 89 is pretty great. It’s worth the extra bucks for the time savings, but some schools don’t allow them.
Make sure graphing calculators are allowed in your classes. I got through a math minor (Cal 1, 2, 3, Diff-E, etc), two physics classes, and lots of other science classes with a scientific calculator. None of them allowed a graphing calculator, some didn't even allow a scientific calculator. I saw plenty of people show up to Physics I or Cal I with a graphing calculator only to have the professor tell em they can't use it.
I got through it with a TI-30X
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EncA Fool with CompassionPronouns: He, Him, HisRegistered Userregular
If you are in high school, you probably have a set calculator that will be allowed for your curriculum.
If you are in college, check with the Math and/or Physics department. They likely have a deal with the school computer store to provide significant discounts for 1-3 models they suggest using.
you might also need 2 calculators, one for homework etc and one for testing. admittedly i teach genetics but we do a lot of math in it at times and I don't let my students use a graphing calc. on exams
Thank you for the replies. I should be safe for my math classes, the teacher likes technology (mostly). I am taking Physics at a different college though since they don't have a teacher for it at my school currently.
Thank you for the replies. I should be safe for my math classes, the teacher likes technology (mostly). I am taking Physics at a different college though since they don't have a teacher for it at my school currently.
Just be careful with classes labeled something like General Physics I or II, as they often only allow a scientific calculator for tests.
In most of the math courses I've taken we weren't even allowed calculators on the tests. The exception has been a class on MATLAB programming, where you are actually expected to calculate things on the test.
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Liking technology doesn't matter. Some of the more advanced ones will literally do your work for you, so most professors allow only certain ones. It's safest to ask.
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Yeah, before buying a graphing calculator you need to check your course syllabus, as for many classes (especially physics classes) you are not allowed them.
Outside of tests you can have all of that functionality and more just by using wolfram alpha, or any number of other similar free services
Glad I asked, no graphing calculators for tests (precalc). Guess it is important to display our understanding of the Cartesian Coordinate system even past intermediate algebra.
Glad I asked, no graphing calculators for tests (precalc). Guess it is important to display our understanding of the Cartesian Coordinate system even past intermediate algebra.
My memory of the normal curriculum is rusty, but I don't think there is any reason you couldn't do all your precalc maths in polar or spherical coordinates. I'm sure your teacher would be more than happy to accept answers in terms of r, theta, phi, just so you aren't bored with material you've already mastered.
The trick is to make questions that test conceptual understanding rather than "here solve this equation" since the advanced calculators can only do the latter.
Things like train accelerating at different rates or bathtubs that are both filling and draining.
Back in my day, taking Differential Equations and Physics and Optics, I got really good at programming my calculator to do the problems in a step by step manner so I could see how the work was done. I think it was basically doing what the maths software programs would do.
Which was exactly why the big graphing calculators were banned from test day. But it was very helpful for my personal learning because I used it properly and not to just fast track my homework. Also programming.
The trick is to make questions that test conceptual understanding rather than "here solve this equation" since the advanced calculators can only do the latter.
Things like train accelerating at different rates or bathtubs that are both filling and draining.
That takes more work than just expecting the student to plugin values to a function and copy down the results.
I started with a TI-83 freshman year of high school. I used it throughout high school and college. The more math and physics I learned, the less I used the more advanced functions of the calculator, and the more I appreciated the fact that the screen could show a number of add/subtract/multiply/divide calculations at once. Your mileage may vary.
Back in my day, taking Differential Equations and Physics and Optics, I got really good at programming my calculator to do the problems in a step by step manner so I could see how the work was done. I think it was basically doing what the maths software programs would do.
Which was exactly why the big graphing calculators were banned from test day. But it was very helpful for my personal learning because I used it properly and not to just fast track my homework. Also programming.
I did this for linear equations. That class was the worst. Every assignment was hours of tedious bullshit.
I don't remember ever needing a graphing calculator in college.
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zepherinRussian warship, go fuck yourselfRegistered Userregular
Back in my day, taking Differential Equations and Physics and Optics, I got really good at programming my calculator to do the problems in a step by step manner so I could see how the work was done. I think it was basically doing what the maths software programs would do.
Which was exactly why the big graphing calculators were banned from test day. But it was very helpful for my personal learning because I used it properly and not to just fast track my homework. Also programming.
I did this for linear equations. That class was the worst. Every assignment was hours of tedious bullshit.
I don't remember ever needing a graphing calculator in college.
Calculus based physics was open note open book, and you needed a graphing calculator for it.
The trick is to make questions that test conceptual understanding rather than "here solve this equation" since the advanced calculators can only do the latter.
Things like train accelerating at different rates or bathtubs that are both filling and draining.
That takes more work than just expecting the student to plugin values to a function and copy down the results.
Conceptual understanding is great and important but there is value to the depth of understanding that comes from having an intimate familiarity with each of the steps involved in an algorithm's solution.
You can know the pythagorean theorem, but if you can prove it and understand the proof, that's better.
There's a difference between asking you to multiply using an abacus and asking you to NOT use a machine which can simply give you the answer if you know how to get it.
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001EMM0G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Served me well enough and definitely under $200
Edit: though based on the description, it's not necessarily the best one if you're looking for a physics calculator.
Double-edit: Although that calculator was the one specifically requested that I use by the university. Some calculators were actually *prohibited*, so your best bet is actually to look up the class and see what calculator(s) they recommend. All the TI-Nspire models were banned in my math classes.
https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Instruments-Titanium-Calculator-packaging/dp/B0001EMLZ2?th=1&psc=1
I got through it with a TI-30X
If you are in college, check with the Math and/or Physics department. They likely have a deal with the school computer store to provide significant discounts for 1-3 models they suggest using.
Just be careful with classes labeled something like General Physics I or II, as they often only allow a scientific calculator for tests.
In most of the math courses I've taken we weren't even allowed calculators on the tests. The exception has been a class on MATLAB programming, where you are actually expected to calculate things on the test.
Outside of tests you can have all of that functionality and more just by using wolfram alpha, or any number of other similar free services
My memory of the normal curriculum is rusty, but I don't think there is any reason you couldn't do all your precalc maths in polar or spherical coordinates. I'm sure your teacher would be more than happy to accept answers in terms of r, theta, phi, just so you aren't bored with material you've already mastered.
Things like train accelerating at different rates or bathtubs that are both filling and draining.
Which was exactly why the big graphing calculators were banned from test day. But it was very helpful for my personal learning because I used it properly and not to just fast track my homework. Also programming.
That takes more work than just expecting the student to plugin values to a function and copy down the results.
I did this for linear equations. That class was the worst. Every assignment was hours of tedious bullshit.
I don't remember ever needing a graphing calculator in college.
That class was brutal.
Conceptual understanding is great and important but there is value to the depth of understanding that comes from having an intimate familiarity with each of the steps involved in an algorithm's solution.
You can know the pythagorean theorem, but if you can prove it and understand the proof, that's better.
There's a difference between asking you to multiply using an abacus and asking you to NOT use a machine which can simply give you the answer if you know how to get it.