Use of a graphing calculator

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  • May 30, 2017 at 12:01 pm
    Sue
    Participant

    DD just finished up Algebra this year (MUS), and she only occasionally used an ordinary calculator.  I required her to show her work most of the time.  (In fact, I couldn’t really tell you of a specific instance where I told her she could skip showing the work….)

    I haven’t given any thought to graphing calculators, but I recall seeing them on public school supply lists somewhere.  (Walmart, maybe?)  My question is this:  when is a graphing calculator necessary?  For which class(es)?

    Now I’m showing my age….I never used a graphing calculator in high school!  Did they even have them back then?  (I heard that!  No, I was NOT around when the abacus was invented….)

    May 30, 2017 at 12:06 pm
    Sue
    Participant

    Or maybe the term I’m looking for is “scientific calculator” instead.

    Help!  (I’m going to curl up with my abacus and take a nap….)

    May 30, 2017 at 12:34 pm
    Ruralmama
    Participant

    I don’t recall using a scientific calculator much if at all before college. I did use one for pre-calculus in college. My engineer husband used his a lot along with excel.  Its not that hard to learn how… I would say maybe introduce it for algebra 2 or geometry if the text suggests it or to check work. As a side note my husband thinks that learning how to use all the formula functions in excel is good to do.

    I am 30 do I don’t know how much has changed…

    May 30, 2017 at 12:38 pm
    Tristan
    Participant

    Makayla did MUS Geometry this year and didn’t need a graphing calculator.

    May 31, 2017 at 7:45 am
    Sue
    Participant

    Thanks, Tristan.  You probably just saved me a bundle.  I think I was having one of those, “Wait….am I missing something important here?” moments.


    @Roslyn    , I think then I can wait to purchase one.  I use Excel more now than I used to, and I am still learning the formulas. Thank goodness for Google and the help function!

    May 31, 2017 at 7:51 am
    Sue
    Participant

    I just Googled and found Math-U-See’s FAQ’s.  There, it says that a scientific calculator is needed for Pre-Calculus, but not before.  Their Pre-Calculus course combines Trigonometry with other topics.

    May 31, 2017 at 3:07 pm
    Karen Smith
    Moderator

    My children never used a graphing calculator for any of their math courses. Two of my boys completed pre-calculus, and one son completed calculus. They did use scientific calculators for the higher math, chemistry, and physics.

    June 1, 2017 at 12:03 pm
    Sue
    Participant

    Hmmm….DD16 will be taking chemistry this year, so I should maybe buy a scientific calculator.  Fortunately, they aren’t expensive.  At home for assignments, she could always use an online one or an app on her tablet.

    Thanks for the input, Karen.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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