Calculator question

[Admiral_Aeka]

one thing to be careful about is that as some graphing calculators can be programmed to solve algebra and such, they aren't permitted on some standardized tests. The one that I have (that's carried me all the way through high school math, AP calculus, and Chemistry, Physics and Calc II in college) is the TI-83 Plus. It's durable, efficient, and inexpensive. I love it :D

[Yanoda]

All the recommendations are good. The thing about the latest graphing calculators (Especially Ti-84 Silver) is that can be used as a simple gaming system.
I had the same calculator and even had the original Zelda game in it, among other classic Gameboy games. As great as it was, it can be quite distracting for school.
Keep that in mind with your Son.

Cheers

Yanoda

[(SWGO)KT]

I have a TI-83 which I used for pre algebra, algebra, and geometry just fine. However, graphing calculators are a big investment, so I would go with one of the TI-84 just for good measure. Warning, make sure his name is on it it and he always knows where it is. They get stolen A LOT.

I used mine a ton in algebra and geometry, but calculators are pretty much banned for the first semester of algebra 2. Good luck to Matt!

[kjeopardy]

I have a TI-83 which I used for pre algebra, algebra, and geometry just fine. However, graphing calculators are a big investment, so I would go with one of the TI-84 just for good measure. Warning, make sure his name is on it it and he always knows where it is. They get stolen A LOT.

I used mine a ton in algebra and geometry, but calculators are pretty much banned for the first semester of algebra 2. Good luck to Matt!

Yeah that's a good point. And don't just use a label, actually write his name with a sharpie or something.

How are graphing calculators useful for geometry?

[Outrider]

Engraving his name would probably be a better idea since permanent marker can be easily removed with a pencil eraser.

And if I can recall, equations of lines and their properties are somewhat expanded upon in Geometry, so a graphing calculator is just as useful as it would be for Algebra, but, again, it's still unnecessary.

[kjeopardy]

Engraving his name would probably be a better idea since permanent marker can be easily removed with a pencil eraser.

And if I can recall, equations of lines and their properties are somewhat expanded upon in Geometry, so a graphing calculator is just as useful as it would be for Algebra, but, again, it's still unnecessary.

Hmm...I thought equations of lines were considered algebra, not geometry.

[Outrider]

Hmm...I thought equations of lines were considered algebra, not geometry.

That's because you need Algebra to do Geometry, which is why I wrote "somewhat expanded upon," as in one uses previously learned material and apply it to the material currently being learned. For example, you're given the equations of three lines that form a triangle, maybe written in standard or point-slope form. Now you want to find the coordinates of the vertices of that triangle by finding the intersection points of the three lines. Then you want to calculate the length of those lines using the distance formula so that you can find its area. Perhaps you then want to find the angles of the triangle using the law of sine and cosine and etc. See how much Algebra is being used here?

[kjeopardy]

Hmm...I thought equations of lines were considered algebra, not geometry.

That's because you need Algebra to do Geometry, which is why I wrote "somewhat expanded upon," as in one uses previously learned material and apply it to the material currently being learned. For example, you're given the equations of three lines that form a triangle, maybe written in standard or point-slope form. Now you want to find the coordinates of the vertices of that triangle by finding the intersection points of the three lines. Then you want to calculate the length of those lines using the distance formula so that you can find its area. Perhaps you then want to find the angles of the triangle using the law of sine and cosine and etc. See how much Algebra is being used here?

Fair point. In reality, geometry is really useful for understanding algebra, and vice versa. In fact, there is a branch of mathematics called "algebraic geometry."

I didn't really mean that equations of lines weren't geometry, just that they aren't really taught as such.

[MATTHEW'S_DAD]

We got the 84 plus silver. Thanks for the input, I wish I understood some of it.

[Duel of Fates]

ABACUS.