<p>Algebra I? Son will start school on Monday, and I got to thinking that probably he may need a new calculator. I have been many years out of school, so if you have an idea of what type, pls. share. Thanks!</p>
<p>All your son needs is a basic scientific calculator. The basic add, subtract, multiply and divide functions, along with the trig functions will be all he needs. The Texas Instruments calculators are probably the most widely used in schools. The TI-30 series will be good and relatively cheap. </p>
<p><a href=“Education Technology | Calculators | Texas Instruments”>Education Technology | Calculators | Texas Instruments;
<p>HP also makes good calculators. They have their followers, but TI is a lot more prevalent in schools.</p>
<p>There is certainly no need for anything fancy or expensive. Unless the teacher specifically recommends getting a graphing calculator, it will be a waste of money. You also have to be careful not to get anything too powerful. Today’s graphic calculators can solve algebraic equations (and calculus ones as well) with a push of a button. This would be absolutely catastrophic for someone learning the basics. </p>
<p>Teachers might also have their own class policies on what calculators they allow and when. If money isn’t a problem, then getting a good scientific calculator will always be a good investment.</p>
<p>Thanks!!! I wished I had been more patient. I googled around and went out and purchased him a TI 84 Plus SE. Hopefully, he will be able to use it for years to come.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, that is a fine choice. It might be overkill right now, but he can learn how to use more of its capabilities as he takes more math courses. One of the really nice things about it is that he can see several lines of calculations instead of just an input and an output. It doesn’t do symbolic calculations so it is not out of place in an Algebra class.</p>
<p>Certainly the TI84SE is a good calculator. The TI have historically been extremely well built and last an extremely long time. I have had my TI89 for over 8 years now, and don’t see any reason why it won’t last me another 8 years. </p>
<p>However, for Algebra class, that calculator is over-kill. At some point, he probably will need a graphing calculator, so it’s certainly not a wasted purchase. </p>
<p>There are several concerns that I have, however. The first is that teachers often implement restrictions on the calculators that can and can’t be used on tests and quizzes. The reason leads to my second concern. The TI84 has an equation solver, and other functions, that defeat the purpose of learning how to do algebra. While I’m sure your son would never cheat on a test, it’s an awfully tempting function and can be detrimental if any student decides to use built-in calculator functions instead of applying the material they are learning in class. Algebra is the foundation of all advanced math classes, so it’s absolutely critical that he learns how to do it properly and not rely on technology at this point. </p>
<p>Because of the restriction on what calculators can or can’t be used during tests in class, he might be forced to use another calculator (basic scientific). Sometimes these calculators (both graphing and basic) are provided by the teacher. It might be something to discuss with your son’s teacher to make sure that the calculator you provide him is appropriate and can be used in his class. </p>
<p>There should be no rush to return the calculator to the store though, it’s an excellent calculator and will no doubt be useful to your son… perhaps not this year though.</p>
<p>What sky said. Almost to a point, sky has stated my advice!</p>
<p>Thanks again. We discussed to probability that the teacher will have calculators the students can use during class, so we decided that it can be his “at home” calculator (unless he has to bring his own to school). I know for sure I never had anything as complicated way back in the 70’s, lol. ;)</p>
<p>Yes, in '72 I was geeked that my TI calculator could play Battleship!</p>
<p>No graphs, no multiple equations…</p>
<p>Word of caution: even though your son is only using the TI84 at home, if he discovers how much more quickly he can get through his homework by relying on the equation-solving capabilities of the calculator, he may be short changing his learning.</p>