What does one need a graphing calculator for?

[imported_apocalypse]

Playing games. And cheating on tests.

 

[alkemyst]

after calc II or so the advantage of having a calculator when you are required to show all work gets less and less as well as how to get the numbers you'd need to use in the formulas/problem.

Same way in Biology the need for a full disecting kit or in Chem I-III advanced lab gear are not apparent.

 

[Savij]

The only time I really felt I really took advantage of a graphing calculator was solving matrices in the circuits class. It saved tons of time but the math work it saved was never very difficult. I just saved a ton of time by solving systems of equations faster.

 

[Leros]

A calculator is pretty useless in a math class.

I use my graphing calculator in my engineering classes all the time, mostly to do integrals. It can't do them all, but it can do the more common ones. Its just a time saver.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Leros
A calculator is pretty useless in a math class.

I use my graphing calculator in my engineering classes all the time, mostly to do integrals. It can't do them all, but it can do the more common ones. Its just a time saver.

Now combine the two ideas. Use your math class knowledge (integrating by adding up small sections of the formula) to write a simple code that will integrate any reasonable function on your calculator. Bingo, your calculator is immensely useful for both math class and engineering class.

 

[coldmeat]

Block Dude obviously.

 

[MrPickins]

My Calc2 prof encouraged us to bring our graphing calculators with a simpson's rule program installed to check our answers.