Graphing Calculator Ti Nspire CX-CAS??

[descovy]

Okay, so in the other graphing calculator post... I originally was going to start with a Graphing calculator app for my 9th grader (geometry this year) The school was asking for a Ti-Nspire on the online school supply list, but mentioned there was calculators in class. I wasn't 100% what that meant so I was just going to wait.

Well... I succumbed to the pressure of getting the calculator now. Between my dd's insistence, other friends getting the calculator, etc..., I figured I should bite the bullet now. This is my oldest, and all girls 2 years apart, I will get good use out of it.

I ordered a refurbished Ti-Inspire CX on Amazon for $81. So it's returnable (whew!) So proud of myself! At Target it sells for $124. My dd was happy with it, says it seems to be just like the ones at school.

I was trying to be careful and not order "too much" calculator. Plenty of people here and IRL said a high powered calculator would not be able to be used for SATs, etc...

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Today with the first day of class, teacher says the calculator will work for now, but by 11th-12th grade she will need the Ti-Inspire CX-CAS Crap! Really?

I can return the CX model (thanks Amazon!) and get a refurbished Ti-Nspire CX CAS for $118. More money though. Should have totally waited with the iPhone app though

I am not a math person (my HS math was taught by the town drunk... I don't think I used more than a scientific calculator) But I'm a little confused that they want the "higher powered" calculator.

Anyone else asked to use that CAS model? According to the Texas instruments site it is SAT approved. Please tell me that's correct! Please, only one high priced, high powered calculator in my family

 

[hollieplus2]

Be careful with the CAS edition, it's not allowed on some of the standardized tests.

 

[descovy]

Be careful with the CAS edition, it's not allowed on some of the standardized tests.

Thats what I am confused about... because the school wants it... and then according to the Texas Instruments site...
http://education.ti.com/en/us/produ...ators/ti-nspire-cx-cas-handheld/tabs/overview

Standardized testing organizations have approved the TI-Nspire CX CAS handheld for SAT*, PSAT/NMSQT*, AP* and Praxis high-stakes exams. It is also approved for some state exams.

*SAT & AP and PSAT/NMSQT are registered trademarks of the College Board. Praxis is a trademark of Education Testing Service. None were involved in the production of nor endorse this product. Policies subject to change.

Visit www.collegeboard.com

So if its approved for those tests, what am I missing? Forgive me, my kids go to a big sought after high school, but I grew up in a poor rural area so this is wayyy out of my league.

 

[BLAZEY]

but keep it to pass down to DD#2 when she hits 9th grade and buy the upgraded one when DD#1 hits 11th grade. My sister was 2 yrs younger than me and there was no way we would be sharing a calculator in highschool and beyond. Repeat when DD#3 hits 9th grade( pass them down) and have DD#1 buy an new one for University or college when the time comes.

 

[Iowajes]

College Board used to disallow CAS calculators, the posters might be repeating old information. They are approved now for the SAT.

http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/calculator-policy

Each AP test has it's own calculator policy, but the ones I checked (Calculus AB, Physics, Statistics) allow the CAS as well, so they probably all do.
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ap/test-day/calculators

Note, ACT does NOT allow the CAS model.
http://www.actstudent.org/faq/calculator.html

 

[descovy]

As an update... my daughter is much smarter than me.

She emailed the 12th grade AP Calculus teacher and asked if a CX (non CAS model) would work in class. According to the 9th grade Geometry teacher, that is where the CX would be no good

AP Calculus teacher said her CX calculator (no CAS) would be just fine.

So we are going to go on the word of the actual 12th grade AP Calculus teacher and not the 9th grade Geometry teacher. And we are keeping the regular CX calculator.

Our district has 7 High Schools, so this afternoon, I looked at their requirements. 5 of them suggest just the Ti-84. One (that is Title 9) just said "graphing calculator recommended but not required" Didn't even give a model number.

I think for a typical "good-at-math" student not on a STEM pathway, we will be fine. A little annoyed our school has such high calculator recommendations

 

[3boymthr]

As an update... my daughter is much smarter than me.

She emailed the 12th grade AP Calculus teacher and asked if a CX (non CAS model) would work in class. According to the 9th grade Geometry teacher, that is where the CX would be no good

AP Calculus teacher said her CX calculator (no CAS) would be just fine.

So we are going to go on the word of the actual 12th grade AP Calculus teacher and not the 9th grade Geometry teacher. And we are keeping the regular CX calculator.

Our district has 7 High Schools, so this afternoon, I looked at their requirements. 5 of them suggest just the Ti-84. One (that is Title 9) just said "graphing calculator recommended but not required" Didn't even give a model number.

I think for a typical "good-at-math" student not on a STEM pathway, we will be fine. A little annoyed our school has such high calculator recommendations

If you can swing it I would go with the TI-84. That's the one that DS has to have for college and he is taking basic college math.

 

[Arkansan]

The TI-84 plus silver is on sale at Staples this week for $89. FYI...

 

[Iowajes]

TI-84+ silver is a great calculator. I used that for my Math Ed Master's degree.

I had to buy a TI-89 for engineering school; but honestly the calculator is too complicated if you don't know what you are doing. I wouldn't recommend it unless you need it.

(I also have a TI-86, and I think the menus are a bit counter-intuitive, but it's a good one, and a TI-82 that I've had since middle school. I have a bit of a calculator collection.)

I've only used the Nspire when evaluating it for inclusion of standardized test calculator policies. The CAS system is interesting, but takes effort to learn.

 

[Agent7]

I'm not sure about the CX but as far as I know any calculator that can be programmed is not allowed on the SAT or any other standardized test. So if she can program and keep formulas in it they may not allow it. When I took the SAT I think they provided calculators (at my testing center at least). The GRE (graduate school test) doesn't allow any in and you have to use the calculator on the computer.

Now for college I've found that, mostly, classes require either very basic calculators or a Ti 83 or above. Also I know that Casio makes graphing calculators that are slightly cheaper but just keep in mind most teachers/professors will teach off a Ti model (some don't even know themselves how to use Casio).