Math Is Fun Forum

JMM1212

Member

Registered: 2009-08-11

Posts: 2

More affordable alternative to TI graphing calculators?

My administration will not approve of my request to purchase enough TI graphing calculators for my freshman algebra class because it doesn't fit in the budget.  The TI-83 Plus is about $100 and the technology hasn’t changed in years.  Would anyone else like to see another brand, like HP or Sharp, come out with a similar, more affordable graphing calculator for students??

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: More affordable alternative to TI graphing calculators?

Hi JMM1212;

Having spent lots of money on handhelds like TI-92 and and TI-85 and various Sharp and HP calculators. I can only say buy a cheap laptop and equip it with any of these, Mathematica ,Maple, Derive, Maxima, Axiom, Mupad or Sage and you will have hundreds of times the graphics and computing power for a little bit more money.

Last edited by bobbym (2009-08-11 09:41:53)

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

JMM1212

Member

Registered: 2009-08-11

Posts: 2

Re: More affordable alternative to TI graphing calculators?

I agree that a computer is better than a calculator, but students are not allowed to use them on tests...

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: More affordable alternative to TI graphing calculators?

Hi JMM1212;

   After more than 25 years of arguing on this point academia still lags behind. It is as if  Zeilberger,Wilf, Petskovek,Vardi, Pflouffe, Bailey, Brent, Montgomery, the Risch group and the Borweins never existed. Your students are going to use a CAS running on a computer in industry not a handheld.

Last edited by bobbym (2009-08-12 07:52:37)

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

inkube

Member

Registered: 2009-09-08

Posts: 1

Re: More affordable alternative to TI graphing calculators?

Do the students really need graphing calculators? I would use a simpler calculator like Casio FX-82ES (seems to be called FX-300ES in the states).
http://www.casio.com/products/Calculators_%26_Dictionaries/Scientific_%26_Financial/FX-300ES/
Most graphs in algebra can be constructed using pen and paper. If you need to show some graphs construct them using matlab and print them on paper.

So, do the students need graphing calculators?

Last edited by inkube (2009-09-08 22:47:29)

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: More affordable alternative to TI graphing calculators?

Hi inkube;

They don't, not when you have matlab.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.