TI-83 calculator

[baileydog]

[QUOTE=desertrat]

Originally Posted by Bustem' Down

I never used any fancy calculator for Algebra. We used paper.


Paper for algebra and geometry, but a slide rule for chemistry!

You had one other tool kids now days dont have......a brain.

[Softballkid]

It was required when I was in school for algebra, but we still had to show our work and all that... So basically, we could use the calculator to make sure our numbers were right (or what we though) and then still had to show how we came up with that answer...

As for knowing math, the basics, yes, but algebra, calc, stats, in all that, any job where you will be using it, 99.9% of the time, you have calculators, or computers which you do the math on.....atleast all the engineers I see or work with due all there math on calculators or the comp (young and old)

[ylexot]

Originally Posted by Softballkid

It was required when I was in school for algebra, but we still had to show our work and all that... So basically, we could use the calculator to make sure our numbers were right (or what we though) and then still had to show how we came up with that answer...

The only classes that I had where calculations were needed were my physics classes. However, the problems were designed to keep the calculations relatively simple (any $10 scientific calculator could do it...programmable calculators were forbidden) and if you got a calculation wrong, but used the correct method, you didn't lose many points.

Originally Posted by Softballkid

As for knowing math, the basics, yes, but algebra, calc, stats, in all that, any job where you will be using it, 99.9% of the time, you have calculators, or computers which you do the math on.....atleast all the engineers I see or work with due all there math on calculators or the comp (young and old)

Yeah, I use a calculator at work...addition, subtraction, multiply, divide, occasional sine/cosine, and unit conversions. That's about it. Pretty much any scientific calculator would work. I have a virtual HP48GX on all of my computers simply because I like the RPN/number stack and it has a great set of unit conversions. I don't use any of the graphing or any other functions on it.

[bresamil]

We bought the TI-84 Silver. He needs it for Algebra I and every other math class in high school (4 years of math required). The Earth/Space Science class also required it. He'll use it in college as well. A wise investment (on sale for $105), at least I hope it is.

[PatricksDad]

You know softballkid, you are correct that the engineers you see do all there math on calculators or the comp. The difference is that the old engineers use the calculator, the younger one rely on it

[SamSpade]

Originally Posted by Softballkid

It was required when I was in school for algebra, but we still had to show our work and all that... So basically, we could use the calculator to make sure our numbers were right (or what we though) and then still had to show how we came up with that answer...

As for knowing math, the basics, yes, but algebra, calc, stats, in all that, any job where you will be using it, 99.9% of the time, you have calculators, or computers which you do the math on.....atleast all the engineers I see or work with due all there math on calculators or the comp (young and old)

Still think that the point of math class is learning math. If it were about solving it with calculators, it ought to be called calculator class. I mean, you learn how to write, but later you take a typing class.

[Ken King]

Office Depot has them for less than $90.

[Chain729]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

Still think that the point of math class is learning math. If it were about solving it with calculators, it ought to be called calculator class. I mean, you learn how to write, but later you take a typing class.

They make you do it with your head first. Then, they teach you to use the calculator. Same principle with using short cuts in calc. Day 1: Here's the long way. Day 2: Noone ever uses that methode. We just make you do that so that you understand the background of what's going on. Here's the easy way- which you'll probably use for the rest of your life- except on the test.

As far as people thinking the Ti-83 Plus will be outdated... Its the same one I was told to get 9 years ago. The textbooks call for it, so I don't see it going anywhere.

[garyt27]

Thanks everyone. I will try for one on Ebay, and maybe the school rental idea.

[czygvtwkr]

I have a TI-85 that I got in 1993 and it will do just about everything that the newer calculators will do.

Young engineers dont rely on a calculator, no calculator can tell you how to solve a problem it can just do the calculations for you. Heck, in graduate classes I dont think I ever saw a number calculation on a test and it was rare in homework.