Hi, I need a calculator for the Sat Math 2 subject test, the ACT, AP Calculus BC, and AP Physics C. I think I will probably need a graphing calculator. What do you guys recommend that I buy (I must be able to use it on all the tests)?
Thanks!
TI-84 Plus graphing calculator will have all the capabilities you will need. It’s legal to use on all of those tests and is really easy to use.
I agree. TI 84-plus. Spend the few extra bucks and get the color screen! Most math teachers know how to use it as well.
I currently have a TI-84 Plus CE, but I miss my old TI-83… The 84 isn’t bad, but because of the screen it runs out of juice ridiculously fast for a calculator. The 83 lasted nearly a whole school year before needing its batteries changed, but my 84 goes 1-4 days depending on the use (in all fairness I was taking AP calc, physics, and chem, but still…). Unless you plan on storing a ton of programs, there’s virtually no difference in functionality or interface. If you’re taking high school level courses, you probably won’t even be using the extra features you pay for with the TI-84.
Thanks for the feedback guys! I just bought a Ti 84 Plus and I love it!
I have the TI-83. It is exactly the same as the 84 except: no colored screen (with silver), less finance functions (in DIST menu), exponents look like 2^6 on the 83 and more like the real thing on the 84 (the same can be said for absolute value: abs (-3) vs |-3|). However, the 84 will not really allow you to perform any better on tests than the 83 can. I have only had to change the 4 AAA batteries on my 83 twice, but my friends with the 84 have to charge their batteries all the time.
All in all, for testing, it doesn’t really matter which calculator you get, they all do the same stuff. Make sure that the night before you take a big standardized test, your calculator is charged.