Will i need a graphing calculator for Algebra II?

[fatbaby]

 

[Utterman]

When I was in algebra II, I used a graphing calc to check my linear equations (I know some of the naysayers are going to it's bad to relay on a calc to solve problems, but you can shove it:|)

It's not really need, but it's a good resource for now and later on it math.

 

[stev0]

not in my experience, but then again i only made it though half a semester of alg2

 

[goldenbeer]

Back in Algebra II I let my graphing calc do about 85% of my work.

Guess what I ended up in the class?

85%

 

[SWirth86]

No. Anyone that says that is lying.

But they are good to have, and make lots of stuff easier, and you can play games on them Get it anyways, because you can use it for next year's math class.

 

[gwlam12]

you wish you needed one! you gotta wait another year, but, before you can ask your parents to get you one. we all know you want it for games

 

[fatbaby]

hmmm 3 yes's

Which graphing Calc would you reccomend? I plan on taking physics, calc, trig...later on...

Would something like el cheapo suffice for all 4 classes?

Or would i need a ti? And which ti?

 

[SWirth86]

Don't get the cheap one....
I would recommend a TI-83 or TI-83+ Theyre not too expensive, and will last you a long time.

 

[fatbaby]

Will it last me through college?

/me punches self for not getting the $70 ti83+ at circuit city. I would of pricematched to officedepot, got it for $68, apply $20 off $50 coupon, Get it out the door for $48!

 

[bolido2000]

A TI 83+ is more than enough. I am graduating in Computer and electrical engineering and my Casio 8500 has been more than enough. In most classes the won't let you use calculator or they want to see your work, so we can just punch in numbers and write down the answer.

 

[SWirth86]

It might, depending on your major. I'm going into 11th, and I'm looking for a new calculator right now (Last one was a used 83, but the screen is dying). Going into Pre-Calc.

I almost got that too, but once I found out about it, it was out of stock

 

[Hoeboy]

it will make life easier but you don't really need any graphing calculator up to calculus 3. not sure after that. and notice i said "need" because most, if not all, can be done by pencil, paper, and a scientific calculator. helps a lot to visualize but not really a necessity.

 

[jarsoffart]

For the most part you don't need a graphing calculator, but they make finding patterns and learning concepts easier and are much easier to use than scientific calculators. For example you can easily find out which component of an equation causes the graph to behave which way. We used the graphing calculator for finding standard deviation of a data set too. When graphing polynomial equations (higher than quadratic) it makes things a lot easier because you can just plug the equation in to the "y=" and then go to the table and just plot points for your graphs. I would recommend you get a TI-83 or TI83+. Most teachers only teach functions for those calculators.

 

[LiLRiceBoi]

I would recomment a TI if you're not one of the techie types. They are very popular so it should be easy to get help using them if you need it. Also lots of programs for them.

 

[The Wildcard]

I didn't need a graphing calculator until Calculus in college.

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: The_Wildcard
I didn't need a graphing calculator until Calculus in college.

Even then... I didn't use it much... diff EQ sucked...

 

[PsychoAndy]

If you're real lazy and don't care, get a TI-89

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

Originally posted by: The_Wildcard
I didn't need a graphing calculator until Calculus in college.

Even then... I didn't use it much... diff EQ sucked...

Me either. We could never really rely on them too much, because we always had to show work. It was nice for factoring 3rd and 4th degree equations, but thats really one of the few things I used it for that a standard calc wouldn't work for.

Now in my ChemE classes, I use my 86 every day it seems. The built in conversion tool is really handy, not to mention tetris is excellent for boring lectures

 

[johnjohn320]

My Alg II teacher stood at the front of the room on the first day and announced: " You will need a graphing calculator for this class." She may be lying, but my point is, asking the teacher would probably be a good idea.

I have a TI-83+, it seems to work well for everything I need.

 

[brtspears2]

You could cheat using one.... notes, equations, but not that I'm suggesting it.

If you have a hard time learning math, graphs help alot.

 

[Mungla]

It's better to have one, yes. I used a TI-89 through Alg II.

The teacher didn't like the little "solve" function that the 89 has. Now that I'm in Physics and Calc, I'm glad that I have the 89.

 

[fatbaby]

can ti's communicate w/ each other with some sort of "messenger" program, something like icq/aim, but not exactly like it? Just so that i can send data to another unit wirelessly (like test answers )?

We cheated on tests in a computer class by h4xing the admin and using AIM.

 

[SWirth86]

Originally posted by: fatbaby
can ti's communicate w/ each other with some sort of "messenger" program, something like icq/aim, but not exactly like it? Just so that i can send data to another unit wirelessly (like test answers )?

Nope. No wireless capabilities.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

I wouldn't recommend using a graphing calculator until you understand what you are doing. My teacher right now won't let anyone use graphing calculators and a lot of the people who are used to them are failing... I'm in PreCalc, BTW...

 

[HombrePequeno]

I didn't use one until Trig and even then I didn't really need it.

My school supplies kids with TI-85s for Trig and Calculus. I wish I would have known that before I got a TI-89. Oh well, mine's better.