It’s been a while since most parents were in school. That means they may have forgotten about certain tools they used in class, such as graphing calculators. This can make purchasing your student’s first graphing calculator seem complicated, but it’s not. There are only a few key things you need to know before purchasing your kid their first graphing calculator.
Shop this article: Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE, Casio fx-CG500 and Texas Instruments TI-84 PLUS CAS.
There are six types of calculators.
Four-function: Basic calculators only perform simple functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. These are functions you should be able to do in your head. However, a basic calculator can be invaluable when the numbers are large, time is a factor, there is a long list of numbers or there are many decimal places.
Scientific: Once calculations move beyond basic functions, the calculator is scientific. These can handle complex equations in advanced mathematics classes such as algebra and trigonometry.
Graphing: In general, a graphing calculator is the most advanced type of handheld calculator. It performs all the basic calculations of a scientific calculator plus complex equations. It also has internal storage. The key feature that makes a graphing calculator different from other models is its graphing capabilities.
Printing: The problem with most calculators is you have no record of your calculations. A printing calculator lets you print out all numbers and calculations so you have a physical record.
Financial: If you work with money, a financial calculator is best since they're specifically made for financial problems. A financial calculator isn’t used for complex scientific equations with multiple variables. It's for calculating mortgage payments, interest rates, cash flows and more.
Online: If you rarely use a calculator, you can solve many mathematical problems by typing the equation into your browser's search bar. Unfortunately, the more complex the equation is, the less likely you get an immediate answer. You may also be directed to a site that explains how to solve the equation rather than giving you an answer.
As a student progresses deeper into advanced math classes in high school and college, a graphing calculator becomes a necessity. A graphing calculator may be useful as early as pre-algebra. By the time a student is studying algebra, geometry or trigonometry, a graphing calculator comes in handy. Before purchasing one, check with the teacher to make sure a graphing calculator is recommended and allowed in the class.
There are four general areas you need to consider when purchasing a graphing calculator.
Can a graphing calculator be used on standardized tests?
A. Many are permitted on the PSAT, SAT, AP and ACT exams, but not all are. Before the test, view the list of acceptable calculators so you know for certain if your particular model is permitted.
Why hasn’t the price of graphing calculators come down?
A. The cost of technology tends to dramatically decrease because new versions come out, making the demand for older models drop off. Graphing calculators are still in high demand because there is no other option for many educational purposes. Because of this, the price tends to remain the same from year to year.
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE
This is the most popular graphing calculator. It has a color display, an impressive battery and 12 software applications for enhanced performance.
Sold by Staples
Texas Instruments CXII TI-Nspire CAS
If you want the most powerful handheld graphing calculator available, this is the one to get. If you intend to use this calculator for tests, make sure it is allowed, since this model is not approved for all standardized testing.
This groundbreaking graphing calculator has a high-resolution touch screen with a tap-and-drag operation. It is suitable for everything from geometry and statistics to vector analysis and engineering applications.
Sold by Amazon
Texas Instruments TI-84 PLUS CAS
This is TI’s top model minus the color-enhanced display. It requires four AAA batteries and is a versatile model that is suitable for math, science and business applications.
This Casio calculator produces 3D color graphs and has editing capabilities and a natural textbook display. The icon-driven menu system is intuitive and easy to use.
If you are looking for value and are satisfied with a low-resolution screen, this model packs the most value. It has a long-lasting battery, a solid case, a wide range of functionality and is affordable.
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
