<p>I just found out my TI-89 isn't allowed on this damn test! I don't have any weak little 83, and my only other calculator is a damn plain scientific. What should I do? Will the math section be easy enough w/o a graphing calculator?</p>
<p>You will NOT need a graphing calculator. The ACT tests very basic things, they just present them in odd ways to confuse you. But on a side note, I thought TI-89s were allowed, but not a special kind of TI-89 or something to that affect. Don't worry in any case, the scientific will do fine.</p>
<p>I used a TI-86 for the ACT, mainly because I find its menu system to be much more intuitive and MUCH faster than the 83's. Depending on when you're taking the test, you might want to consider the 86, or else just use whatever you're most familiar with. Make no mistake, though--not having a graphing calculator will be a significant disadvantage.</p>
<p>Sorry, but what types of questions did you use a graphing calculator for? Granted, I've only taken practice tests, but really, where does it give you an advantage?</p>
<p>borrow a calc from your friend or something</p>
<p>are we allowed to use ti84 plus on this test??</p>
<p>...well it could help speed up things with problems dealing with logarithims, graphs, trig, distance formula, imaginary numbers,...</p>
<p>There's no trig and the other stuff you mention is kept to a minimum, and is very basic. </p>
<p>disclaimer (as far as I know)</p>
<p>There is trig, but it's extremely basic (i.e. sin/cos/tan as far as opp/adj/hyp sides of a right triangle).</p>
<p>To the person who wasn't sure - yes, 89's (or any other calculator with symbolic algebra system) is NOT allowed on the ACT. Generally, you'll be fine with a scientific calculator, although graphing capabilities may be useful so see if your school or a friend would let you borrow an 83 or the like.</p>
<p>gexxman is right in that the primary advantage that a graphing calc offers is speed, since it can do a number of problem for you, in less time than it would take to do them by hand. It also minimizes mistakes (how many stupid sign errors have we all made in our time?)</p>
<p>Prohibited Calculators
These types of calculators are prohibited:</p>
<p>pocket organizers
handheld or laptop computers
electronic writing pads or pen-input devicesThe Sharp EL 9600 is permitted.
calculators built into cellular phones or other wireless communication devices
calculators with a typewriter keypad (keys in QWERTY format)Calculators with letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted.
calculators with built-in computer algebra systemsProhibited calculators in this category include:
Casio: Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300, and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G
Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92
Hewlett-Packard: hp 48GII and all model numbers that begin with hp 40G or hp 49G </p>
<p>Wow, yeah--that kind of stinks though.</p>