Selecting a calculator for math students
Today’s students will find skills in the arena of mathematics and technology are more salient than ever before. The new workplace is multifaceted, demanding analytical thinking abilities and computer related know-how. That’s why it’s no suprise that scientific calculators are becoming more important in the math classroom. They crop up in virtually every new textbook offering and are even compulsory on several advanced exams such as the Advanced Placement Calculus assessment.
There are several dozens of trendy scientific calculators on the market today. There are 3 main makers of portable calculators, Hewlett Packard, Texas Instruments, and Casio. Unless you are a math teacher, you may not be familiar with any of them. How can you pick which one is preferred for you? When looking at the options on the market for a scientific calculator, bear in mind these considerations: your needs, price, and features.
Begin by considering your needs. Some graphing calculators come with a computer algebra system, or CAS, but some do not. This ability means the calculator can do operations on variables such as x’s and y’s and not only numbers. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, the ACT disallows calculators that have a computer algebra system. If you are planning to take the ACT, a computer algeba system is probably not the desired thing for you. Also, a CAS is awfully helpful in calculus and other advanced classes. If you are going into AP calculus or the SAT, these sorts of calculators are encouraged. If you’re looking for a CAS capable calculators, consider a Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium. Also, the HP 50g and HP 40g are great choices. If you decide you need a non-CAS calculator, you’re likely going to think about the TI-Nspire from TI or maybe the Casio fx-9750GII. From HP, look at the HP 39g.
When it comes to price, the most affordable is almost always Casio. Casio creates some really cheap graphing calculators that are jam packed with features. Pick up the Casio fx-9750GII if what you need is a cheap calculator and the fx-9860GII if you have a few more dollars and desire one of the most feature rich graphing calculators on the market. Texas Instruments often makes the least affordable calculators, and HP makes some good options that fall in the middle of Texas Instruments and Casio.
Who has the most features is up for debate. TI has been known to hold features back that it could easily add to its lower models at no cost in order to encourage students to pay for the pricier ones. On the other hand, the relatively new TI-Nspire is loaded with features. Casio has done a great job including excellent features in its fx-9860GII. In addition, it’s extremely simple to learn to use, but not as graphically dazzling as the TI-Nspire. Again, HP finds itself in the middle is middle of the pack, blending a solid array of features with apassably nice set of graphics on its HP 50g and HP 39g.
When you put it all together, what’s the final verdict? Each of the big three, TI, HP, and Casio, has at least 2 graphing calculators in their lineup I suggest. From TI, it’s the TI-89 Titanium and both versions of the TI-Nspire (CAS and non-CAS. From Casio, consider the fx-9860GII and fx-9750GII. And finally, for Hewlett Packard, I’d go with the HP 39 or HP 50. If you stick to that list, you will have a calculator you can count on for years to come.
For more information about graphing calculators, go to Tech Powered Math. There, you can locate the whole story on graphing calculators, like the TI-Nspire.
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