Graphing Calculator Requirements
Graphing Calculator: TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus or TI-84 C Plus (the "C" stand for color) which will be used throughout your high school and college careers
It’s not worth saving $20 to buy a cheaper model. I will teach you how to use this specific calculator. Also, when shopping for a calculator, there are several terms you should be familiar with. The ‘silver edition’ is cool but the only difference is the amount of memory; the keystrokes are exactly the same. The TI-84 Plus is an advanced version of the 83-Plus allowing it to hook up to your computer via a USB port. Again, this is also neat and not necessary for high school. However, there IS a difference between the 83 and the 83-Plus. The 83-Plus has an applications menu, which you will use extensively for the next 8 years of school. PLEASE, do not buy anything besides an 83 Plus or 84 Plus (the TI-Nspire is too complicated and too expensive for our needs).
Unfortunately, even though we've begun to use computers in the classroom and cheap graphing programs for the computer can do everything we need, you do still need a graphing calculator to take the MME and the ACT. Those tests do not allow the use of calculators programs on computers or phones or iPod/iPad-type devices. The $80-100 or so you'll spend on a good calculator is well worth the increased score on the MME and ACT. (If you're looking for a good calculator program for your iPad, check out Desmos.)
It’s not worth saving $20 to buy a cheaper model. I will teach you how to use this specific calculator. Also, when shopping for a calculator, there are several terms you should be familiar with. The ‘silver edition’ is cool but the only difference is the amount of memory; the keystrokes are exactly the same. The TI-84 Plus is an advanced version of the 83-Plus allowing it to hook up to your computer via a USB port. Again, this is also neat and not necessary for high school. However, there IS a difference between the 83 and the 83-Plus. The 83-Plus has an applications menu, which you will use extensively for the next 8 years of school. PLEASE, do not buy anything besides an 83 Plus or 84 Plus (the TI-Nspire is too complicated and too expensive for our needs).
Unfortunately, even though we've begun to use computers in the classroom and cheap graphing programs for the computer can do everything we need, you do still need a graphing calculator to take the MME and the ACT. Those tests do not allow the use of calculators programs on computers or phones or iPod/iPad-type devices. The $80-100 or so you'll spend on a good calculator is well worth the increased score on the MME and ACT. (If you're looking for a good calculator program for your iPad, check out Desmos.)
