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Matt needs a graphing calculator for 7th grade algebra. We're looking at a TI 84 plus and a TI 84 plus silver. I don't have a clue what a graphing calculator is or what it does, so we could use a little help. Are these two I've suggested sufficient for 7th grade algebra?

Either one is fine, I lost mine and upgraded to the ti-89 titanium, which can do a lot more but is a lot more confusing. He will also run into problems when a teacher is explaining things on the calculator. If he is good with electronics I would look into the 89. If not just get the newest 84, the plus silver.

Edit: By the time hes in 11th 12th grade everyone may need the 89 anyway

I've been using a TI-84 plus for 9th and 10th grade. It's easy enough to understand for me personally, but I never needed one in Middle school. I suppose if Matthew does need one, I would just go with a regular TI-84 or TI-84 plus, the fancier ones like the TI-Inspire are kind of unnecessary (and pricy!), and his teacher will probably be more familier and more able to assist with older editions. (My brothers in college, and still only uses a TI-84...)

MATTHEW'S_DAD wrote:Matt needs a graphing calculator for 7th grade algebra. We're looking at a TI 84 plus and a TI 84 plus silver. I don't have a clue what a graphing calculator is or what it does, so we could use a little help. Are these two I've suggested sufficient for 7th grade algebra?

I'm assuming a 'Graphing calculator' graphs without the requirement of the use of human brain cells. So Matt's actually in the 7th grade?!? Holy [poo], he looks older than that!

I would suggest the TI-84 Plus Silver Addition. I have been using this one for years and it's great. Pretty much everyone I know uses it and I have seen the kids who don't use it have a bit more of a difficult time trying to do the same things you can do with the TI-84 Plus/Silver. Also it is more of an investment anyway as when he get's into higher math it will really save him a lot of time. I hope this helps.

My kids were both required to get those calculators. The only time they ever used them were in the classroom.
To boot, if your kids are in public school, it is actually the schools responsibility to furnish the student with what they require. There was a lengthy debate here last year (after I ponied up for 2) and the school was told to make enough available for students to borrow.

MATTHEW'S_DAD wrote:Matt needs a graphing calculator for 7th grade algebra. We're looking at a TI 84 plus and a TI 84 plus silver. I don't have a clue what a graphing calculator is or what it does, so we could use a little help. Are these two I've suggested sufficient for 7th grade algebra?

Yay, a math question (sorta)!

Quite frankly, NEITHER of these calculators are necessary for 7th grade algebra; however, it has become a common practice in schools these days of requiring calculators that are way above grade level.



The fact is is that Matt is probably gonna use this calculator mainly for addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.---maybe a little bit of graphing.

The screens on the TI-84 Plus and Ti-84 Plus Silver Edition are practically identical to my knowledge---as is the speed at which each calculator can render a graph.

As such, I would definitely go for the TI-84 Plus and not waste money on the Silver Edition, UNLESS you can get the SE for under $15 more, or cost is not a factor in deciding what calculator to buy.

Another note: you could buy the TI-83 Plus, which is cheaper than either of those. It will be fine for high school, and probably for college unless Matt is taking some seriously advanced calculus courses.

However, the screen on the TI-83 Plus is worse than the screens of either the TI-84 Plus or TI-84 Plus Silver Edition. The speed at which the 83 makes a graph is also slower.

So conclusion: buy the TI-84 Plus, and only get the silver edition if you really don't care about spending an extra $20 bucks. Also, I wouldn't buy them in a retail store: order em online or something.

In my experience, it's very much possible to get by Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry with just an ordinary scientific calculator. One would only truly need a graphing calculator in second year Algebra and Precalculus, but even then it is only used sparingly. It's only after these classes that it will come in handy, and even with just a T1-83 will do fine. But if you have the money now, and it has to either be the TI-84 Plus or Silver Edition, then I would go with the former since it's probably cheaper, but either one will do.

Outrider wrote:In my experience, it's very much possible to get by Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry with just an ordinary scientific calculator. One would only truly need a graphing calculator in second year Algebra and Precalculus, but even then it is only used sparingly. It's only after these classes that it will come in handy, and even with just a T1-83 will do fine. But if you have the money now, and it has to either be the TI-84 Plus or Silver Edition, then I would go with the former since it's probably cheaper, but either one will do.

Yeah, pretty much what I said but a bit more concise.

If you don't HAVE to buy a graphing calculator now, I suggest the TI-30XS as a terrific scientific calculator. I have two graphing calcs: a TI-83 and a TI-84 Silver Edition, and find that i use the TI-30XS far more than either of my graphing ones.

I'll tell you a secret about math: the most difficult and advanced kinds of mathematics don't require a calculator. The standard US curriculum does not teach high level math in grade school, it just pushes smart kids to calculus without giving a damn if they ever actually learn anything.

Happy Calculating.

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