graphing calculator question

[binny]

Cam is going into grade 9 and taking AP geometry. I found him a T1-81 at a yard sale and looked it up. From the sounds of it, it will work this this year and part of next. He doesnt believe me LOL

I have no experience with this. Can anyone tell me if I am way off?

BTW I bought it for $2.50 so it wont be a great loss but the thought of putting out another $100+ for something else right now is maddening.

 

[jme829]

Wow I hope it works out for you! That is a steal!! DD16 was notified at the end of last school year that she would need one for Alg II this year (she's a JR) and they specified a TI-84 (or TI-84 Plus) and maybe the TI-81and it was $120! I would have loved to find one for under 3 bucks!!! lol


Maybe you can contact the school and verify that is the right one. At least you won't be out much if it isn't the right one.!


PS dd's school recommended the same one for everyone, because they are going to actually do a class time or two learning how to use them and figures it easier if everyone is on the "same page".

 

[georgina]

My kids didn't need a graphing calculator for geometry. (I've never heard of AP geometry) When they got to Alg II, the school recommended the TI 84 plus so that everyone would have the same one as they use them in class. I would check with his math teacher

 

[JR6ooo4]

Look in the directions, if you don't have them they should be online. there should be a self test program in the calculator.

Mikeeee

 

[WDWBarb]

I just bought DD the TI-Nspire graphing/scientific calculator for science and algebra. It was $159!!!

I was SO not happy.

 

[MinnieMe87]

At our school, they recommended we get one for Algebra II, so my mom ordered one off Ebay. I ended up using it twice because it was not the same model as the ones we used in class. I never used it at home for homework, because we did our work in class with the class set of calculators. I think my mom paid around $40 for mine off Ebay.

 

[dakcp2001]

My advice is this, if it is something he is only planning to use to get through a class or two then it will probably be fine.

He may have an issue when he gets stuck or needs help because everyone else will be using a newer model and the features may be different so he may need to go online to find a users manual or someone who can help should he get stuck, the people in his class will not be able to assist.

I would call and ask the teacher if this model has all of the necessary functions for the class. Most classes I took required a specific model and we learned how to use THAT model in the class. People did have different ones, it just was a bit harder for them.

Here is the thing, if he is going to need this type of calculator all the way to college then it may be worth investing in a good new one with the instruction manual and one that the teacher & classmates are familiar with, should he need some help. But even that is a gamble, by the time he gets to college he may need a newer model, or he may choose to major in Philosophy or something and not need one at all!

 

[AshleyW]

Most schools and classes recommend the TI-84, it's the easiest to use and that way all the kids will have the same one. I used a TI-82 in high school and got by just fine, they function just about the same. I would up getting a TI-84 Plus when I started my college classes though, because I didn't want my old model to make things any more complicated than they needed to be. That said, I looked at the buttons on a TI-81 and there are a few that are different, which might cause some problems.. I'd suggest asking the teacher. If you wind up buying a TI-84, I saw them at Target today on sale for $88.

 

[jessily]

I'm not sure specifically about the TI-81. Can he start with that and once school starts, decide if he will need to upgrade. You got a great deal! If he's interested in math/science it may be a good investment to get a good one. When I was in 8th grade my parents freaked out that I needed a TI-83. It was definitely expensive for a school supply, for an 8th grader. I've been using it for 11 years now, and still use it every single day at work. It has definitely paid off.

 

[Tinijocaro]

My son was told to get the TI 84, I called the math teacher and asked if a TI 83 would work and she said absolutely. I'd call or email the teacher. I got my son's on ebay.

 

[Cindy B]

I would go against the TI81 as well. Most high schools are using TI 83's or 84 models so that is the best option for you.

 

[golfgal]

Wow I hope it works out for you! That is a steal!! DD16 was notified at the end of last school year that she would need one for Alg II this year (she's a JR) and they specified a TI-84 (or TI-84 Plus) and maybe the TI-81and it was $120! I would have loved to find one for under 3 bucks!!! lol


Maybe you can contact the school and verify that is the right one. At least you won't be out much if it isn't the right one.!


PS dd's school recommended the same one for everyone, because they are going to actually do a class time or two learning how to use them and figures it easier if everyone is on the "same page".

I was going to say the same thing. It isn't that the 81 won't work it is just that the book will have the keystrokes for whatever one the school recommends. The math teachers use the smartboards to demonstrate the keystrokes too so those will be different on the 81 and the teacher may not know off the top of her head which way the 81 works but he will still be able to use it.

 

[SilverL]

I would go against the TI81 as well. Most high schools are using TI 83's or 84 models so that is the best option for you.

My college uses 83 and 84 as well.

I recommend waiting until the first week of school. Make sure he cannot use the TI-81 before shelling out any more $$. If he ends up needing another one later on, buy it later on. If you have something he can use right now, why not use it?

 

[taylor3297]

Even in middle school we use the TI-83 or 84's.

 

[oldbay]

Former high school math teach here, using the TI-81 is a lot like having a playstation 1 when everyone else has the Wii.

It will be fine for Geometry, although many others would most likely have the newer models even for this class. It will not be useable for Algebra 2 in any real sense. Sorry, your son is right on this one.

 

[janette]

If he's going to be doing lots of math I'd go ahead and get the T84, here they are allowed to use them on tests and they are also allowed for the SAT. I'm not sure they are allowed to use any different models since that is what they use in class.

My 17yo DD has decided she needs a new one since they now have a pink one on sale at Target; I checked with a friend and she said the T84 is also what they need in the college math classes so I may go ahead since my 15yo DD can use one too. She won't be doing as much math so won't use it as much as older DD.

 

[clutter]

Wal-Mart has the TI-84 for $99. Picked my dd's up on Sunday, wanted to make sure we got it for the price. Staples had them for $109 with a $10 rebate.

 

[torinsmom]

My son's HS provides the kids with the calc. at school, at least for algebra. They check them out from the teacher to do their work. For home, we googled scientific calculator and use the one online. Oh, and for some things, we use my TI-36 I STILL have from high school 20 years ago

Marsha

 

[minniebeth]

They do seem to be on sale several places this week...Target for $88 seems to be the best price though, thank you to the pp who posted the price.

For DS HS math this year, it is a nice to have, not a requirement.

We told him until it's required, he can buy it himself (he already has a nice one that will do just fine).

Of course, he wasn't interested in buying it himself, but he has no qualms spending $60 on a video game!