workingmom Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 DS will be taking Geometry next year and likely pursuing Engineering (so cal, chem etc in the future). Right now he has a DH's very old TI scientific calculator for Alg 1. Looking for a calculator that will last him through high school. Obviously want one that will work for ACT/SAT (however I guess he could still use his old scientific cal for that). http://education.ti.com/en/us/product-resources/graphing_course_comparision suggestions? Does a graphing calculator have all the stuff a scientific one has? Hoping to just have him carry one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 You do not actually need a graphing calculator for high school math (unless you take AP calc which has some problems that require one). You do not need a graphing calculator for the ACT/SAT either, and not even for the SAT subject test in math - a scientific one is just fine. And yes, a graphing calculator can do all the things a scientific one can, it is just a lot more time consuming to learn how to use one. I'd make the choice based on what his college recommends for the engineering majors. ETA: A student going into geometry should NOT use a graphing calculator for any geometry graphing; he should learn to do it by hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatHomeschoolDad Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I agree. A TI-90 is such overkill for the SAT and kids rely on them so much they get lost on simple things. Get a Casio scientific like:http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000A3IAHM?pc_redir=1396736626&robot_redir=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I agree. A TI-90 is such overkill for the SAT and kids rely on them so much they get lost on simple things. Get a Casio scientific like:http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000A3IAHM?pc_redir=1396736626&robot_redir=1 or this one for under $10: http://www.amazon.com/Casio-FX260SLRSC-Scientific-Calculator/dp/B000Q5XTBQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397066234&sr=8-3&keywords=casio+scientific+calculator This is what DD used on the Math SAT 2 subject test and for her calculus based physics courses at the university. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I don't think you need a graphing calculator until AP Calc, and only then because the exam requires it. Can you use one before then? Sure. The ACT has more calculators you are not allowed to use that the SAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I like the TI-30XIIS for a basic scientific calculator. It's cheap, has two line display, and if you later need a TI graphing calculator, you're getting comfortable now with key locations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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