Lets talk calculators...

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Well i've been using a Casio fx-83ES for a while now, and it's been a bit iffy for a while (screen flickering) it just completely gave up in the middle of calculating empirical formulae on Friday (not a build quality issue i don't think, just to do with the way i was treating it - and the whole 'leaving it under the sofa for two years' thing). While i've found another one to tide me through until i make a decision, i'm wondering if this would be a good time to get a completely new one. So i started googling. Then i got confused.

So i need something that i can use for (at least) A(S?) Level Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and by 'use' i kind of mean 'would allow me to cheat at as much as possible, while at the same time not risking not being allowed in an exam'. Budget i'm not really sure, i have enough money left over from my birthday to get a high end graphing calculator (which would be the epitome of nerdiness), but to be honest i'm not sure what i'd actually use it for. I've heard good things about the fx-991ES Plus, but then i started to wonder if Casio actually is the be all and end all of calculators. That said, when i look at Sharp or Texas Instruments they always look too different from what i'm used to, be it either with key placements or screen size/layout. The only functions i would need (really want?) that might not be on all of them would be a fractions button, a minus button, S>D for converting answers given in fractions to decimals and vice versa, as well as all the usual stuff (log, lin, sin(^-1), cos(^-1), tan (^-1), π etc.). So... any suggestions? Thanks

Of course, having a better calculator is pointless if you don't know how to use it, so are there any decent guides or whatever that could help with that (other than the instructions of course )? I know there's a lot on my current calculator that i've never touched, but i'm not sure if it could have helped me at any point.

tl;dr - i'm a nerd, spec me a calculator. Cheers

 

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Nearly every exam I have done that allowed calculators usually stipulated it be only of a certain type - i.e. no Graphical Calculators. And when Graphical Calcs were allowed, they were checked for people stashing formulas and stuff in them.

Now i've heard a lot of varying information about that - ranging from 'as long as it looks like a calculator they won't bother checking' to 'anything without a CAS function is allowed, but you might have to reset it before you enter the hall' to 'you won't get away with anything other than what's on the list for your paper'. I really think it depends where you do the exam, and how strict they are/how much attention to detail they pay.

Pretty sure graphing calculators are allowed in most calculator papers though... thanks for the tips everyone, especially about the ENG button (that just made my life a bit easier ).

 

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I have a CASIO fx-991ES PLUS and its amazing.

Can integrate/differentiate (not factorise, give you answers), you can do graphs (it gives you values when x=1, 2, 3 etc.) and a lot of stuff.

You can also do the simpson's rule and pythaorian rule too (instead of working it one by one, with different 'h', it gives it to you with the difference you want)

Well that was one i was looking at - a noticeable step up from the two low end Casios but not much more expensive. It looks like the best in the price range by a long shot, mainly due to the fact that i'm used to the layout, but i wonder what more i could get (that i might actually use) if i increased the budget...

 

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Well i'm not going to worry about what's allowed and what's not just yet, i can't see my school being that anal. Plus i've heard about graphing calculators being offered by the maths department for some exams so you know...

It seems that it's either the fx-991ES Plus, which is the best of the basic scientific calculators, or something a big step in the upmarket direction. So my question would be what would that offer that i would actually use? And what's the best way to learn how to use any calculator? Because i've read through almost every instruction book (well, leaflet nowadays ) i've got and i feel that i've still not scratched the surface.

 

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Since you are doing maths I would recommend getting a graphical calculator, they are allowed in the exams providing they aren't CAS algebra manipulators. I can't remember what particular model I have, I'll probably edit that in in a bit.

What do you actually use it for? I mean, yeah, i get it, it draws graphs - but what does it help with? Can't get my head around it - probably links in with not knowing how to use them properly anyway

Pen and paper is the best calculator.

JK, I've not used a scientific calculator for ages.

Pft, Abacus is where it's at man

 

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Locally, NO type of graphical calculator is permitted, neither at A level.

Almost certain that they are, at least in most exams where you can have a calculator.

EDIT: From the JCQ site -

 

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Texas Instruments BaII Plus Pro is just about the best calculator out there.

Looks rubbish? Tiny screen, sin, cos and tan aren't even first function buttons, sin^-1, cos^-1, tan^-1, ENG and even Pi functions are not to be seen

 

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And what do you think "symbolic algebra manipulation" is then?

Different to "literal algebra manipulation". Slightly disconcerting that nobody has been able to answer my question as to what features a graphing calculator would offer over a good scientific that i would actually use...

EDIT: Not fast enough

 

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Well it doesn't seem like a graphing calculator would actually offer much that has a useful regular everyday application over the 991, but the 991 does offer some decent features over the cheaper stuff. Unless anybody has any other suggestions i'll probably go for that, cheers

Also - congratulations nerds on creating a two page thread on calculators

 

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Currently using the FX-911ES PLUS, great calculator. Just remember to switch it to the mode where it gives out decimals for an answer instead of fractions, it was a real PITA until I read the manual.

The 83ES does that too, i like it since fractions are often more useful than decimals, especially if you're carrying it through to another part of a calculation. It's only a single button press to change it anyway so you know

 

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Good advice, thanks - i sincerely doubt i'll be doing a pure maths course at uni (if anything it would be Physics...y) but still. The flip side of that being that if your education doesn't prepare you for real world situations, where you would have external materials, access to proper equipment and, oh i don't know... the ability to talk? Well then it's not worth very much, is it?