Graphing Calculators

• PURPOSE OF THIS PAGE

  This page is designed to assist my Northridge High School Precalculus students to understand the need of a graphing calculator and help them determine which is best for them to purchase. I am also offering Graphing Calculator resources on this page so that when they purchase their calculator, they can find material which will help them utilize their educational investment.

1. Why Should I Learn A Graphing Calculator?

   1. With today's usage of technology in education and the work force, I stress the use of graphing calculators in my Precalculus classes. By the end of this course, I am hoping that my students will have the necessary tools to use the graphing calculator in many mathematical situations.
   2. According to my research, most universities require Texas Instrument graphing calculators, so I am hoping my students will be well prepared for this technolory and not have to learn it while picking up other time demanding aspects of the busy college life.
   3. Learning grapahing software is an Indiana Department of Education State proficiency. That means you are required by the state to learn graphing software and I am required to teach it. TI graphing calculators do meet this requirement.
   4. Graphing calculators are allowed on the SAT test. The SAT score is one that many universities use to help determine the acceptance and placement of applying students.
   5. Graphing calculators are also allowed on the Calculus advanced placement test. This is a test which Northridge Calculus students will take. Depending on the score, a student can earn college credit by taking this test.
   6. Graphing calculators are allowed on acedemic competitions such as the Indiana State Super Bowl, Decathlon, and calculator tournaments
   7. In my class, you will learn how to check your written homework with a graphing calculator. This will give you immediate feed back as to whether you are doing your problems correctly.
   8. Without a graphing calculator, you will be at a major disadvantage if you consider that many other students will be using them.

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2. Which Calculator Should I Purchase?

   Since I have access to a TI-86 overhead viewscreen, I will be stressing that particular calculator in the classroom and therefore highly recommend it. The TI-92 calculators are not allowed on SAT tests, the Calculus advanced placement test, and Math acedemic competitions. On the other hand, all other TI calculators are permitted. This will also be true in my classroom in testing situations. I will not allow any TI-92 calculator on any of the Precalculus tests, but will allow any other TI-calculator. Before deciding on a particular calculator, I recommend you view the TI graphing calculator comparison chart. In additon, you will gain much more knowledge on TI-calculators by visiting the official TI-Calculator Homepage and the TI-Calc.Org.Homepage Both Web sites contain all you will need to know about any TI-Calculator.

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3. Where Can I Purchase A Graphing Calculator?

   • Meijer's
   • Sam's Wholesale
   • K-Mart
   • Service Merchandise
   • Wal-Mart
   
   You may also find some excellent deals on calculators and graph link cables by calling these TI dealers :
   
   • Cop-Co (1-800-589-3006) (Call these guys first)
   • Geyer (1-800-447-9368)
   • Kent (1-800-777-7711)
   • More Dealers
   
   

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4. Are There Any Other Graphing Calculators I Can Purchase Besides A Texas Instrument?

   As a Matter of fact, there are other graphing calculators on the market. However, I highly recommend you read my "Which Calculator Should I Purchase?" Section first. After doing so, and you are absolutely sure a TI calculator is not for you, then you might want to consider visiting a Casio or Hewlett Packard web site.

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5. Hey Mr. Powell, Where Can I Download Some Of Those Cool Programs For My Graphing Calculator?

   There are plenty of sites on the World Wide Web which have TI-graphing calculator programs. Below are TI-85 programs which I use in my Math Analysis class. You can download them on this page right now. If you are interesting in other programs, I have a few TI-graphing calculator links where you can get started. Otherwise, use the Yahoo or TI search engines and surf the web for sites that draw your interest.
   

   TI85-Graphing Calculator Programs

   Name	Size	Description
   gr.85p	5,362 bytes	This program will graph inequalities in one or two variables.
   polynoml.85p	3,920 bytes	This program does polynomial multiplication and division.
   table2.85p	1,920 bytes	A program which generates a table of values
   limits.85p	1,139 bytes	This program will determine limits
   triangle.85p	675 bytes	A program which will find the area of a triagle knowing various sides and angles.

   TI-Graphing Calculator Web Sites

   Web Site	Description
   TI-85 Calculator Land	Z-shell programs and excellent links
   TI-Calc.Org.Homepage"	Probably the best page on the net

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6. Ok, I downloaded those programs. How do I use the cable link to get them from my computer to my calculator?

   To get a TI-program from your computer to calculator, you will first need to know the name of the file you downloaded. You will also need to know where your browser saves it on your harddrive. Pay close attention as you download the software, all this information should be provided by your browser as you download. If your lucky, your browsers will allow you to save the software on your harddrive where ever you prefer. Once the software is downloaded, you will need two things to get the program from your harddrive to your calculator. You will need a cable link which usually attaches to the mouse port of your computer to your calculator. You will also need the link software which tells your computer to send the software from your computer to your calculator. You can download the DOS, Windows, and Mac versions of this software for free at the official TI-Homepage. As far as the link cable goes, you can either make your own for about $5 or purchase one for $45-$55. To order a graph link, see the company phone numbers in my "Where Can I Purchase A TI Calculator" section. You many find additonal company phone numbers by calling 1-800-TI-CARES.
   

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Sam Powell
Mathematics/Computer Teacher
Northridge High School
Middlebury In.
219-825-2142