kfeusse Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 My daughter needs this for Algebra 2. It's a $100 calculator...and outside of this class and the ACT test, she will never need it again. I do have 2 other kids...but still.....$100? We can probably use one from the school for the ACT test...so really we only need it for Algebra 2. we have android phones....does anybody know of an app we can buy (for a lot less, I am sure) that will suffice...for school...not for the ACT...I know those won't be allowed for that. please help us save some money...and give me some good options. thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Look for a used one. I see some on ebay for reasonable prices. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) Yes. On our android devices, we downloaded MathLab graphing calculator. It should work for you. It is free. Eta: It's by MathLab Apps, LLC Eta again: And here is the user manual: http://help.mathlab.us/ Eta yet again: You can upgrade the free app to the pro version for, I think, $10. Edited October 11, 2017 by Kinsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 android app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Revsoft.Wabbitemu&hl=enbut they do come up used quite frequently; other than ebay, craigslist or the local college swap boards are the places to look. Oh & pretty much all first year math and science courses will require it or similar. fwiw, I know several people who love their ti-84 so much that they refuse to use anything else, even for mundane boring adding up columns at tax season :) It has a very nice dimpled keypad. I'm never selling ours.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 The website desmos also would work for graphing. It is free. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted October 11, 2017 Author Share Posted October 11, 2017 tried the mathlab app....she said the the exponent button didn't do what it was supposed to do...I can't imagine that is right...I figure she isn't doing something quite right, so maybe there is something we don't know that someone can help us with. I looked on ebay...the prices are nearly the same...and anyone that is a lot cheaper has a huge shipping costs...which brings the price to high for a used item. off to look at desmos. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Choose a different provider who does not require this calculator for a math class. There is no need for a calculator in an algebra class AT.ALL. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted October 11, 2017 Author Share Posted October 11, 2017 we are using Mr. D. The program came highly recommended on here. This is algebra 2...if that matters. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 The only issue I would see with the apps is that you cannot have a phone for the SAT/ACT/PSAT. I would look for used locally or on ebay. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 My son used a Casio FX-9750 in high school. It's more intuitive than a TI-84 and a whole lot cheaper, plus my son says it does more. As long as he knew how to use it the teachers never had a problem with the substitution and at least one of them was impressed by how well it works. He's in an engineering program now and still uses the thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted October 11, 2017 Author Share Posted October 11, 2017 I know this....I think we can borrow one from our local public school for the test....we just need one for home. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 My DD had to have a TI-84 Graphing Calculator when she began Algebra 1. I researched the different models and bought the latest and greatest at that time, the TI-84 Plus CE. A week or 2 after Amazon Day, I bought it from them for $88. The only issue was that although it was a brand new to the market model, I think they installed old batteries. The OEM battery failed in less than one year. I was not a happy camper... I bought a replacement, non-OEM battery for it, from this eBay Seller. It works fine. You might take a look at their Used/Refurbished TI Calculators. When I looked, a long time ago, there was little difference in price, as I recall, between one they rated as good and one they rated as Very Good or Like New or something like that. Also, I think some of the ones they sell are refurbished or remanufactured by TI. This is the URL on eBay for what they have available this morning: https://www.ebay.com/sch/calcsdirect/m.html?ssPageName=&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2654 DD is taking the PSAT/NMSQT this morning and took that calculator with her. I updated the Software (Firmware?) in it once, from the TI web site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) we are using Mr. D. The program came highly recommended on here. This is algebra 2...if that matters.Let the instructor know that affording a TI-84 is a financial difficulty. He probably has a workaround. I don’t know what curriculum he use but for public school textbooks, it means skipping the graphing calculator section in each unit/chapter or using Desmos (web based, apps) which is free. My oldest love playing with his calculator and he would compare Desmos and his TI-84. Desmos is really good enough and probably easier than Mathlab to start using. https://www.desmos.com ETA: A scientific calculator is all that is needed for ACT,SAT, PSAT. There are many available from around $10. Edited October 11, 2017 by Arcadia 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 The only issue I would see with the apps is that you cannot have a phone for the SAT/ACT/PSAT. You only need a simple scientific calculator on these tests. A graphing calculator is not necessary. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Look for an old ti 83 on eBay, should be at least half the cost for substantially similar features. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Do you have a rewards account at Staples or Office Max? I often take my ink cartridges in to recycle them, but don't always have something to spend the rewards credit on. You could potentially get the price down with a 10% or 20% coupon or discount day (Staples does a promo occasionally where anything that fits into a shopping bag gets the discount), then apply ink rewards towards the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 If they do a lot of graphing in that course I think it could be helpful. I appreciate it for that for sure. It really depends on the course. The TIs are an absolute rip off for what they do though. There are other brands out there that are less (TI monopolizes the market basically). Problem is if they specify a calculator there is a good chance they will show you how to use it. So going with something else means you have to figure out how to use it on your own. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstharr Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Look at Shopgoodwill.com for the calculator and anything scientific. I bought a Ti-84 for $40 earlier this year. Be careful of shipping cost. It is a little heavy here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 You only need a simple scientific calculator on these tests. A graphing calculator is not necessary. 100% agree, but it is helpful for the students to use the same calculator throughout. I think using an app and then switching for the high stakes tests can be hard for some students. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbk mama Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 My son used a Casio FX-9750 in high school. It's more intuitive than a TI-84 and a whole lot cheaper, plus my son says it does more. As long as he knew how to use it the teachers never had a problem with the substitution and at least one of them was impressed by how well it works. He's in an engineering program now and still uses the thing. Yup, this is all DS ever needed for Precalc/Calc, and he loved it - still plays around with it occasionally. It's currently $42 on Amazon, which is about what we paid for it a few years ago. I'm sure I learned about it from this board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 100% agree, but it is helpful for the students to use the same calculator throughout. I think using an app and then switching for the high stakes tests can be hard for some students. She could use a $6 scientific calculator for all calculations and the app only for the graphing. Makes more sense than buying a $100 calculator just so that it's the same device for everything. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Is this an on-line course or an in person course? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Is this an on-line course or an in person course? Mr D is an online course, so I am not sure how the instructor would even know what calculator the student is using and how he can mandate a specific model. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Oh ok! So yeah use an on-line thing or phone app. The college alg trig course I took required a calculator. You could use your own, but if it wasn't a TI you were on your own in terms of learning to use it. But the way the course was done, you absolutely HAD to have a graphing calculator. A phone app was not allowed. I thought it was absolutely stupid because there were several in that class who were never planning to take a course higher than that. So they had to buy this $100 calculator to use for the one course. There was one hold out. Some guy insisted on not buying it. He got very low scores on the exams (he liked to announce his scores). He probably flunked for other reasons than not having the calculator, but there were definitely problems on the exams where you needed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lispy Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Dd is doing alg 2 with Mr D. The calculator isn't necessary. He shows them how to do the work manually at the beginning of the lessons and then after they've done some of the problems by hand, he shows how to do it in the calculator. We do have the 84, but dd decided early on that she preferred manually working the problems as she could have all the problems done on paper by the time she got one entered in the calculator. She hasn't used the calculator since around chapter 3, and is currently on chapter 9 (of 12 I think). 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 tried the mathlab app....she said the the exponent button didn't do what it was supposed to do...I can't imagine that is right...I figure she isn't doing something quite right, so maybe there is something we don't know that someone can help us with. . try https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Revsoft.Wabbitemu&hl=en We have the Windows version. It works fine just like Ti 84. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 The college alg trig course I took required a calculator. You could use your own, but if it wasn't a TI you were on your own in terms of learning to use it. But the way the course was done, you absolutely HAD to have a graphing calculator. ....there were definitely problems on the exams where you needed it. now I'm curious: what kind of problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 now I'm curious: what kind of problems? Literally calculator problems. Do this, that, and the other thing and write down what comes up on the calculator. In other words, you needed to demonstrate that you could use the calculator. And while you could have in most cases done stuff by hand without it, it would have taken so long to do so that you would have run out of time even if you happened to be very good and fast at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Literally calculator problems. Do this, that, and the other thing and write down what comes up on the calculator. In other words, you needed to demonstrate that you could use the calculator. WTH? Why on earth do that in a math class instead of teaching actual math? 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 DESMOS is a great graphing app. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 WTH? Why on earth do that in a math class instead of teaching actual math? I liked learning how to use the calculator. I never learned. But I agree. They could have easily taught the concepts without it. The Calc 1 instructor was big on using Maple. He wrote his exams in a way that basically forced you to use it. I did learn how to do a lot with it, but I would have preferred to focus on the concepts more than a computer program. The Calc 2 teacher now goes over some Maple stuff, but it is apparent she does not like it and she is rather half hearted about it. She does not write her exams in a way that forces you to use it (although she does allow you to use it during exams). At least so far. I can't tell if she doesn't really know how to use it or if she hates it...or both. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 She needs it for every math, chemistry, and physics class she takes from here on out. She'll not only use it for ACT/SAT/AP exams . . . the better/faster/more effective she is with it, the better she can do on the exams. In fact, she needs to learn to be adept and confident with it. I've actually insisted my 14 yo ONLY use it for all computation that requires a device just to get practice. Buy the calculator. Graphing calculators are an essential tool for modern math/science education. Get some extra "good" out of it by having her watch these videos and practice the techniques shown. https://online.math.uh.edu/GraphCalc/index.html 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) She needs it for every math, chemistry, and physics class she takes from here on out. She'll not only use it for ACT/SAT/AP exams . . . the better/faster/more effective she is with it, the better she can do on the exams. But the bolded is simply not true - you do NOT need a graphing calculator in these classes. You only need one if the instructor designs the exam deliberately to be solved only with this tool. Many college math and physics courses do not allow calculators at all. Graphing calculators are an essential tool for modern math/science education. No, they really aren't. I'm a physics professor. Our students do not use graphing calculators in any of their classes, and research scientists do not use graphing calculators either. If you really need to graph something, you use a computer. My physics major DD is a senior this year and has never needed a graphing calculator in any math or science course. Edited October 11, 2017 by regentrude 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 But the bolded is simply not true - you do NOT need a graphing calculator in these classes. You only need one if the instructor designs the exam deliberately to be solved only with this tool. Many college math and physics courses do not allow calculators at all. No, they really aren't. I'm a physics professor. Our students do not use graphing calculators in any of their classes, and research scientists do not use graphing calculators either. If you really need to graph something, you use a computer. My physics major DD is a senior this year and has never needed a graphing calculator in any math or science course. I respectfully disagree. I did over-state the need. I should have said it is needed and/or would be very useful for the majority of college intro level math/physics/chem courses as well as standardized testing. Of course, for upper division courses in any of those specialties, the calculator will not be generally required/used much. My dd is majoring in math (and comp sci), and I don't think she regularly uses the graphing calculator for those sorts of classes. However, for intro level college and all high school courses and standardized exams, it will be very helpful. And, in some of them, depending on the teacher or the exam, being proficient with the graphing calculator could be make-it-or-break-it or certainly make a significant difference on grades. I'm a big fan of non-calculator math. We're an AoPS family, and AoPS never uses calculators. :) I am all about understanding and big pictures . . . However, for the SAT/AP/ACT exams that permit the calculator, being efficient with it can make a tremendous difference in exam scores. These sorts of exams are now designed expecting proficiency . . . My son learned how to use it (using those videos) and found it invaluable in his AP Chem/Physics/Calc courses and exams. I'm not saying that the advent of the graphing calculator being so integrated into many math/science courses and exams is a good thing or a bad thing. But, it *is* a thing. I think they can be used well, to mess around with stuff and figure things out . . . not as a substitute for real understanding, but as a TOOL to learn and discover. Just like computers vs books. And hand-written papers vs typed . . . It's a tool. I wouldn't want to graduate my high schooler w/o proficiency in a graphing calculator any more than I'd want to graduate her w/o being able to use a computer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 just as an aside, in some schools, in final exams where a calculator is allowed, often the TI 83/84 is the only one allowed - even if there is no need for graphing etc - for the simple reason that it's the one that TA's and invigilators know how to do a memory wipe. There was a problem with people cheating with calculators, storing a whole bunch of info on them, formulas you were supposed to have memorized etc. So now, when you walk in, you present your id, present your TI and the invigilator clears the memory and hands it back to you. They don't want to be fussing with other brands and figuring out which ones have storeable memory and how to clear it. (of course I've now heard that there is a workaround and some people have reprogrammed their keys so that when you do a wipe it appears you're wiping but you actually are not .... cause cheaters gonna cheat...) They also have spares of the TI and if you need a calculator (your batteries died etc) that's what you'll be given so you better know how to use it & it's really not always as intuitive as regular scientific ones. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 But the bolded is simply not true - you do NOT need a graphing calculator in these classes. You only need one if the instructor designs the exam deliberately to be solved only with this tool. Many college math and physics courses do not allow calculators at all. No, they really aren't. I'm a physics professor. Our students do not use graphing calculators in any of their classes, and research scientists do not use graphing calculators either. If you really need to graph something, you use a computer. My physics major DD is a senior this year and has never needed a graphing calculator in any math or science course. We have yet to need it. AP Calc here. No calculator needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) We have yet to need it. AP Calc here. No calculator needed. Actually, the AP calc exam is the only standardized test that really requires a graphing calculator. There are 1-2 problems that are specifically designed so they cannot be solved without one. Edited October 11, 2017 by regentrude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) We have yet to need it. AP Calc here. No calculator needed.AP Calculus BC exam did require it. Even my kid who doesn’t like to use any calculator for math didn’t want to risk not getting a 5 when he took the exam in May this year. For both AP Calculus AB and BC exams “Section I: Multiple Choice Part B — 15 questions | 45 minutes (graphing calculator required) Section II: Free-Response Part A — 2 problems | 30 minutes (graphing calculator required)†https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-calculus-bc/about-the-exam Edited October 11, 2017 by Arcadia 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 WTH? Why on earth do that in a math class instead of teaching actual math? The physics we used had a calculator math lesson and homework in the beginning. The point was just getting multiple steps of fractions and exponents into the calculator correctly before you're doing the actual unit conversion and physics formulas. At the high school level, you can't assume students know how to do all that (somebody probably got a new calculator) or that the order of operations is intuitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Many college math and physics courses do not allow calculators at all. This. My dd is in Calc C at a STEM-oriented school. No calculators allowed. Not sure about physics, she hasn't taken her sciences yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 WTH? Why on earth do that in a math class instead of teaching actual math?I've actually seen a lot of high school math classes spend a ridiculous amount of time on "using the graphing calculator" rather than actual math. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 (edited) I definitely agree that you don't need a graphing calculator for the ACT. Desmos (online, free) was fine for the few times DD#1 wanted to see a graph last year in Alg 2. DD#1 apparently felt sorry for some of the other kids who took the PSAT yesterday who wanted to use their calculators on the reading section of the test. There was some very minor math calculation required (based on my reading of the #PSAT2017 memes). All DD said was that she was used to using her head & not a calculator, so it wasn't a big deal. Also, those who are used to using a graphing calculator (or even just regularly using a scientific calculator) vs. doing things by hand were confused by some of the "math without calculator" questions. (Again, see the linked memes - specifically this one & the parabola one (mute your sound before clicking!).) Edited October 12, 2017 by RootAnn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Oh, pawn shops! Pawn shops generally have a ridiculous number of graphing calculators for sale. Who knew? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeatherL Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 Not sure the difference, but my son is using my old TI-81 that I used in high school. I looked it up on ebay recently and it's around $20. Mine still works perfectly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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