Graphing calculators?

[janethill]

I got my daughter a TI83 many years ago and she's still using it. I guess now that she's a high school math teacher most of her students have a better calculator than her (lol).

BTW when she was in college most of her math classes didn't allow a calculator.

 

[georgina]

I checked with the school and they recommended the TI 83 Plus or 84 Plus. She said that they go over the keystrokes to use in class, based on those models. I know there have been instances of theft too, so we did etch her name on it. I have seen the 83 plus for $75 after rebates.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My 7th grader needed a graphing calculator last year. I think we got him the TI-83, but it might have been the 84. I know my older children had the 83 when they went into algebra.

T&B

 

[clh2]

I would also find out which one the teacher/school recommends. It definitely will be easier with keystroke sequencing.

 

[elgerber]

OK, I found out the teachers uses the ti-83+. Does anyone know if I get him the 84+, will the keystrokes be the same? It seems he will be able to use the 84 for longer than the 83, based on the little info sheet I picked up at Target yesterday.

 

[FINFAN]

DD has the 84 plus silver...she chose it because of the formulations for Chem/phys as well as the graphing and memory capabilities. Not sure on the key sroke differences, but so far she is getting the hang of it. The math instructor also has the 84 + so DD can really know whats going on thru demonstration etc. We did not know the teacher had the same one, but glad now! Based on that info, I would ask the teacher if it is better to have the same 83+ so they are both on the same page. I would advise scanning or taking a photo of the serial # on the calculator, and then listing it with the school...come mid terms and finals time, these things tend to disappear. I know it is really expensive, and many students do not have the funds to buy them, but if you can, swing it. DD's class is moving at a pretty quick pace. She is in grade 10 geometry.
I also agree about no calc use in college.....kinda stinks.

Pam

 

[tar heel]

My son is in trig and his teacher recommended the TI-84 so it would carry them through college. The best prices this week are at Office Max and Circuit City (rebate), but both were out and he needed it this week. I got it at Walmart for slightly less than Target's price. If your son does not need it immediately (likely at that level), you should be able to save $20 or so by ordering it from one of those store's websites.

My older son has a TI-85, which I'm not sure is even made any more. He used it for middle school, high school and is now in his fourth year of college in a major that includes a math class every semester.

The child I just bought the new calculator for is not into math and will take the minimum in college, so I'm counting on his calculator being ready for his little brother to have in Algebra I in two years!

 

[lauran cameron]

The TI-83 PLUS is my salvation...lol...it's an amazingly complicated calculator simplified to perfection! After using it I can't use any other calculator or else I feel like I'm in the stone age aw:

 

[elgerber]

Well I just read the little flyer I got at Target for the ti-84+ silver and it says "fully compatible with ti-83, but for more courses", so I'm guessing they work the same. I have an e-mail into TI but have not gotten an answer yet. I would hate to buy him something that he might need to upgrade in a few years, if I can just get one now that will last all through middle and high school.