Graphing Calculator

halfHAVOC · 01-11-2009, 03:14 PM

I've been used to this scientific calculator and im pretty comfortable with it, im wondering if i need a graphing calculator? i know its not mandatory but.... it can be helpful? did anyone have any conflict choosing between the two? How many problems can this graphing calculator really help you on, or if you even need it at all? or if anyone has any examples of problems where it can be really useful. i was thinking about taking both calculators on test day, and use the graphing one for whenever necessary.

teamam · 01-11-2009, 03:16 PM

Graphing calculators really come in handy when you reach pre-calculus/calculus. They are a big help when it comes to finding derivatives of complex equations. You may not think that graphs are that important, but when you reach integration in calculus, having knowledge of how to graph an equation is vital. Some of them even have games!

Dagol12 · 01-11-2009, 03:21 PM

I think halfHAVOC is referring to whether to use a scientific or graphing calculator on the SAT. I personally use the graphing calculator, although its not needed, it can be really helpful in solving certain problems on the SAT. You can easily graph equations, find points of intersection, slopes, etc. It's mostly preference though.

halfHAVOC · 01-11-2009, 03:21 PM

do you have any example problems or anything where it can be useful?

Ivan_Stanchev · 01-11-2009, 04:53 PM

You actually do not need a graphing calculator to ace the SAT I math ..

Bigb14 · 01-11-2009, 05:47 PM

you don't even need a regular calculator for the math section... a scientific is fine. My graphing calculator is like my blankey though... I feel more comfortable when it's around

I really like the "fraction" function, though. It can convert any rational decimal into the lowest simplified fraction. Not needed on the SAT, but just thought I'd share my love of my calculator :P

Dagol12 · 01-11-2009, 05:49 PM

Of course you do not need it to ace the Math section, but it does help.

Bigb14 · 01-11-2009, 05:59 PM

^What I mean is that the calculator should not be a significant part of your "game plan." It should only be used to check what, say, 23 x 12 is; not so that you can use graphs, matrices, and stat plots.

kidwithshirt · 01-11-2009, 06:03 PM

I strongly recommend having a TI89 for just about anything. It WILL help you with your high school math career. As someone who has owned one of these since 7th grade (actually it was a serendipitous encounter since I found one in the library and I began to use it after nobody had claimed it), and it has helped me all the way through calculus 3.

SAT math will test a lot of your basics, in which a graphing calculator will not improve, but hamper your progress. In some terrible algebratic expansions, factors, you could utilize a graphing calc in ways that speeds up your progress.

I had a 800 M in my first sitting without any prior review (not bragging, I am simply making an argument for the importance of having strong math foundations), and I only used something algebratic once and the rest were all 4-function operations.