<p>I have a question. Do you strongly advise to get a graphing calculator or can I just use a scientific for the math II? What are the particular advantages? I am taking the test in june..</p>
<p>You should certainly have a graphing calculator. I find it really helps with functions/algebra plus you can make some nice programs for graphing calculators. I have a TI-84 and love it - others would say that a TI-89 would give you even a greater advantage. But a 84 should be fine.</p>
<p>So I should get one… but will I be able to learn how to use it…I know there are instructions on the back of the Barron’s book but the calculations seem long and tedious… will it save me time?</p>
<p>Not only will it save you time, but some of the problems are nearly impossible or take several minutes to do without a calculator. Actually the TI-84 was easy for me to learn, but you do want to get one asap so you can get familiar with it. Also (not meant to insult), but how can you do pre-cal without a graphing calculator?</p>
<p>Well, so far I’ve gone through the whole barron’s book without one but it is time consuming especially for the higher-degree polynomial functions. I don’t like those :D</p>
<p>Unless your a genius in math it will be very to score high without a graphing calculator. At least that’s my opinion, but maybe that’s just because I’m used to using a graphing calculator. Anyways Barron’s lists their questions that required a graphing calculator and they are quite numerous. So unless cost is a huge issue I wouldn’t take the test without one, and if cost is an issue you might trying borrowing one from your school or friends.</p>
<p>Well, I’ll definitely get one. Thanks so much for the advice. :)</p>
<p>There were several posts on this forum from strong students who nailed the SAT II Math with a scientific calculator. One guy even took the test without any calculator to prove that you don’t need it to score 800; he failed. :(</p>
<p>I believe that graphing calculator will definitely give you an edge.
TI-89 would increase the advantage, but not significantly (on 3-4 questions); besides, it’s not as easy to master as TI-83/84.</p>
<p>EDIT.
BTW, TI-89 is not allowed on ACT.</p>
<p>I’m just curious. You’re taking the Math II SAT Subject test, so you should have completed math through trig and precalculus, right? What school do you go to at which you have not been taught to use a graphing calculator? It would make sense if you were loaned one at school but didn’t own one, but you said you don’t even know how to use it. We’ve been using graphing calculators since the 7th grade, when I took Algebra I (back then it was mostly a novelty, but we’ve been using it pretty heavily since Algebra II, what with trig and logs).</p>
<p>For better or worse, you’ll probably get questions on both L1 and L2 that would be very time-consuming w/o a graphing calculator.</p>
<p>Typical example:</p>
<p>f(x) = some 4th-order polynomial that you can’t factor.</p>
<p>Question: for how many real numbers r does f(r) = 2?</p>
<p>Intended solution: graph f(x)-2 , count how many times graph crosses x-axis.</p>
<p>You should get yourself a graphing calculator as soon as possible if you do decide to use one for the test. I got my TI-89 last summer, and only now am I perfectly at ease with it. (I don’t feel comfortable using anything else, though.)</p>
<p>I agree about the need to get one right away and start practicing. Daily.</p>
<p>To answer aplicannot’s question…I am an international student and the schools in my country are different from the schools in the US. We are not taught to use graphing calculators. Basically we study complicated material and learn to solve problems without one. However, I am very used to my scientific calculator because I’ve been using it for a long time and it helps me with logs and trig.</p>
<p>To also answer aplicannot - A graphing calculator isn’t essential for any math below AP calc. Math is done on paper, not on a machine. Calculators can help you get a better idea of the problem, but you don’t develop the fundamentals by plug and chug tactics.</p>
<p>WELL HERE IS our experience…son got 5 of 10 graphing questions wrong in his preliminary sparksnotes test (#1) --without using a calculator (didn’t have it that day-)… Test 2 got 10 out of 10 correct. Currently he is getting a 700 on the math but is reviewing right now and tonight and plans to take a few more tests …When time is of the essence a calculator can be quite useful…Just make sure you know how to use it. He just replaced his 83 with an 84 Plus and is still getting accustomed to it…</p>
<p>Of course it’s best to have a complete understanding of math, beyond just using your calculator. However, when taking a test like the Math II a calculator certainly increases your chance of doing well. I’m not sure what type of scientific calculator you have but there are problems that would take forever to solve by hand, and others that you can’t solve with a scientific calculator. I agree with some of the more idealist members that dread the use of a calculator at all, however you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage by not having a graphing calculator.</p>
<p>totally agree…</p>
<p>Hi -
I’m also an international, and have no idea how to use a graphing calculator. I am registered to take the Math 2 paper this June (about a month away) and my question is this: is there any chance that I’ll be able to use a graphing calculator by then (if I bought one in a few days’s time)? Obviously this situation is far from ideal (especially as I’ll be revising at the same time), but I didn’t realise that a graphing calculator was so necessary.</p>
<p>Also, which calculator would you reccommend for a complete novice?</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>If you practice enough 1 month should be fine. I would also recommend Barron’s prep book because it does a good job of explaining how to use graphing calculators. I have a TI-84 which does everything you will need. A TI-89 may give you a little bigger edge but I think it’s harder to learn… a TI-83, 84, or 89 will do.</p>
<p>I also think a graphing calculator is essentially for the math II subject test, but definitely not for a school math class.</p>