Graphical Calculators

Hey Guys,
I am currently looking for a graphical calculator for my upcoming maths exam (this Friday), which will supplement my existing scientific calculator. Basically, I'm looking for one which can display curves/lines on a graph when entered, solve quadratics, possibly functions and relatively complex algebraic equations. It would also be great if it could display venn diagrams, but I'm not sure if any such calculator can do that.

So, can anyone recommend a good graphical calculator which can do most (or all) of the above? I heard that some calculators can load small BASIC programs to do a number of these things too?

Thanks for your help,
Xaneden. :)

I'm looking to get a graphical calculator too, got my AS exam in a few weeks

I asked my teacher and he suggested casio and texas instruments

A google search brings up many many results for the texas instruments TI-83 Plus

Think it does most of what you want

83 Plus, will do what you need for a-level maths, a-level further maths and still thensome.

i had a Ti82 in my y00f

i had and still have the ti-85, a very good calculator

Unless it has changed or you are willing to cheat, i think you have to reset your memory before the exam thereby removing any programs you have written

Thanks for the advice guys; will resetting the calculator remove base programs such as a quadratic solver etc? Also, there seems to be a new Casio, but the Texus Instruments looks top of the range. Would you think there's much between them, or is it worth going for say a TI-86?

Ti-89s are really powerful calculators. I think that they can even make 3-D graphs for multivariable calculus.

I always used a Casio with a 3 color screen.

I think that if you are not doing calculus, you will be fine with a Ti-83plus

Well, I am currently doing an IGCSE in maths, and we have to learn some basic levels of differentiation (specifically calculating gradients and turning points, ands whether they are maximums or minimums). Would say, one of the Casios be ok for this, or would I need one of the Texas Instruments ones?

the exam boards have rules on the maximum capabilities of any graphic calculator

I remember the calculator I had for my A-levels and maths degree fondly. Such a truly awesome bit of kit, it's really a shame that there is no application for them in grown-up life :(

I believe the TI-83 has been replaced with the 84 which is almost identical, but has a USB port built in. It will work fine for single variable calulus, but I'd reccomend an 89 for multivariable.

For exams, i don't think you're allowed calculators that solve quadractics symbolically. Not for GCSE, AS or A-level anyway.

how are you allowed a graphical calculator? is that not considered cheating? it is in my opinion

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i had and still have the ti-85, a very good calculator

Unless it has changed or you are willing to cheat, i think you have to reset your memory before the exam thereby removing any programs you have written

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I still have one too . . . though I distinctly remember someone else who had the calculator who wrote a program that "simulated" the reset, which got passed the guy doing the resets. . . I wasnt too happy about losing my tetris program! :p

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Originally Posted by Davos

how are you allowed a graphical calculator? is that not considered cheating? it is in my opinion

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You're only allowed them on some papers, answers can't just be copied down from the screen anyway. You need to show the working and you can't get that from the calculator AFAIK. Basically you need an understanding of each subject

I had a Casio graphical calc when I did my school exams (which wasn't needed, TBH), but we weren't allowed them for my Uni exams (Engineering).

yep, what everyone else has said, you can use them for 1 paper iirc, and you really dont need them for that ( the only useful thing they do is solve simultaneous equations, but that isnt hard, its just dull)
Get a scientific one and rejoice in your newfound knwoledge of maths, that said, i have a casio fx9750g that does everything ive ever needed for a level maths and further maths and all through a theroetical physics course. the motto being, get a cheap one, if your teacher reckons you need one, get the school to put a bulk order in and buy them from them

Thanks for your advice guys. I'll need to get hold of one by this Friday, does anybody know of a high-street store which sells them, or an online shop which can deliver such a thing by then?

i think argos has one, i was looking for one before, dunno if its anygood or in the new catalogue tho.

No it's not unfortunately, I checked there earlier.

So far I've tried: WH Smith, Argos and Staples. Any other suggestions guys? :)

best bet is probably a proper stationers, do you have a rymans near you?