I have SAT 2 (Math2, Phy., Chem.) on 2nd May and would like to know that is graphing calculator really necessary? It is lot more expensive than scientific calculator. I am planning to take only scientific calculator for the test, is it right? Please reply.
From what I remember, I don’t think you need graphing calculator capability on any of the problems.
It might be helpful in some cases though - for example, computing log_5 22. While most scientific calculators I’m aware of don’t allow inputs of log to arbitrary base, you can simply compute log(22)/log(5). Graphing calculators usually allow logs of arbitrary bases.
It means I am fine with a scientific calculator
Probably - I’d take a practice test if you haven’t already and see for yourself. It’s been ~4 years since I took Math II so my memory of question types is limited, but I highly doubt a strong math student will need the graphing calculator for many problems.
However if it asked you to find the largest root of a quartic whose roots are all irrational and can’t easily be factored as a product of two quadratics, then the graphing calculator solution wins.
I am getting 800 on princeton review tests with scientific calculator only. Looks like I am good to go with the scientific one
I’d say get one. It will really help on things like Law of Sine, Cosine, and trig questions in general. Great that you’re getting 800s on PR tests, but to save time and effort on the test, just get a graphing calc.
If you’re worried about the money aspect of it, get one that’s used I guess.
Take a look at this pdf from CollegeBoard. They highly suggest a graphing calc in order to “provide an advantage” in some problems:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/SAT/public/pdf/CBCalculatorPolicies2014.pdf
The policy for the SAT II is at the top.
Considering your test is in two days, don’t bother with the graphing calculator. If you’re just starting to use it, it’ll slow you down. You’re clearly doing fine with a scientific calculator.
There are a couple of questions that are easier with a graphing calculator, but entirely doable without. In any case, you can afford to skip those questions anyway because of the generous curve. I’m not sure what trig questions @FutureDoctor2028 is referring to, but the time you’ll spend grappling with a calculator you are unfamiliar with will probably be much greater than the time it will take you to solve a Sine Law question using some pencil/paper and a scientific calculator (after all, it’s literally just one extra step of rearranging).
Oh, I apologize. Didn’t realize that you’re taking the test on Saturday. If so, you’re totally fine with a scientific calculator, as @OrchidBloom suggests.
@FutureDoctor2028 @BMWM550D I do feel that the larger interface and other things make it easier to use a graphing calculator, but I’m almost certain all problems can be solved without one. It might also save time, but if you are new to a graphing calculator, you might also waste time trying to figure out how to use the specific functions.
Here is an example trig problem I just made up where using a graphing calculator will likely save you time:
Q: Acute triangle ABC has AB = 6, BC = 5, and ∠A = 45°. Find the length of AC to the nearest hundredth.
(yes, it has a unique answer)
100% agree with you @MITer94 .
BMW, if you’re new to graphing calcs then don’t bother wasting time figuring out how to use it a few days before the exam, as MIT said.
For the problem:
Law of Sines
5/sin(45) = 6/sin(x) ----> Using proportions (cross-multiplying) you get <C equals arcsin(6sin(45)/5)
arcsin(6sin(45)/5) = ~58.052° for angle C
Angle B then must equal 76.948° using the Angle Sum Theorem.
Now for side AC (side b)
b/sin(76.948) = 5/sin(45) ----> b= (5/sin(45)) / sin(45)
Side length AC (or side b) =
~6.888
Was that right?
@FutureDoctor2028 yep! (exact answer is sqrt(7) + 3 sqrt(2))
@MITer94 Great! How did you go about using square roots? Law of Cosines?
EDIT: Never mind, just realized that sin(45) is sqrt(2) / 2, getting you an exact answer haha.
Oh and to BMW, that problem took me about 5 minutes with a graphing calc; would have probably taken a bit more with a scientific.
@FutureDoctor2028 law of cosines --> obtain a quadratic in terms of AC.
You obtain two possible values for AC. You want the larger one because the triangle is acute (if the “acute” requirement was dropped, there are two possible triangles, and this is why SSA is not a congruence condition). If this were an actual test question, I’m sure the other root would be an answer choice…
@MITer94 Yeah that’s totally legitimate.
Pretty sure the equation is b^2 - (12sqrt(2)/2)b + 11 after using Law of Cosines.
Then use the Quadratic Formula to get actual roots for this.
Quick question though, on the test, will the MC choices contain decimals or exact roots? I’m not entirely familiar with the format of the test just yet, and will start studying in June and over the summer to take it in October.
@FutureDoctor2028 I don’t really remember actually haha. I’m pretty sure both formats appear.
Of course, if the answer choices are in exact form and you came up with a decimal answer, you could try plugging in answers.
I think I am fine with scientific calculator. It will take me a good amount of time learning to use the graphing calculator considering the fact that I am even having difficulty using the scientific one. Thanks for help.