Choosing and Using A Calculator

One vital piece of equipment that is needed for studying mathematics is an appropriate calculator. In addition to algebraic and verbal perspectives, the graphical and numerical aspects of mathematics will be emphasized in mathematics courses making the calculator and its use an important component of your success. It is important that you choose a calculator that will have the features needed for your course and that you learn how to use it in a way that will increase your understanding of the coursework. At various points in your courses calculators may be required while at other times they may be banned depending on the situation.

After examining various calculators on the market the UA - Fort Smith Department of Mathematics recommends that students purchase the TI-84 calculator from Texas Instruments for most students. The TI-83+ or TI-84 will be used for demonstrations in the class. Programs and support will be provided for the TI-83(+)/84 only.

The TI-84 is a newer verison of the TI-83 and the older TI-82 with more memory and a faster processor. These three calculators work basically the same. If you are purchasing a new calculator we strongly recommend the TI-84, either in the regular or silver edition. If you already have a TI-82 or TI-83 it will be fine for almost all freshman and sophomore mathematics courses we offer, so we do not recommend buying a new calculator. A TI-86 is also acceptable, however it operates somewhat differently and adds a level of difficulty to your study. Statistics classes require a TI-83(+) or TI-84 (not a TI-82).

Several other calculators are made by other manufacturers. However, be aware that if you choose to use a calculator that is different from the recommended one, it is your responsibility to figure out how to get it to do what we do on the TI-84 in class and to translate the programs for use on your machine. You will be much more "on your own" in figuring out how to use your calculator if you choose another model.

The TI-89/92/Voyage 200 calculators are on a much more advanced level and include the ability to perform symbolic mathematical computations. Because of their advanced abilities these calculators are often banned from certain examinations and assignments. We do NOT recommend these calculators for most students. However, once students reach the level of Calculus III or Mathematics Technology they will be required to purchase a calculator at this level. These calculators should usually be purchsed only by students majoring or minoring in mathematics, engineering, or a related field.

Your instructor will demonstrate the proper usage of the recommended calculator and its application to the study of the course content during class. In addition, Dr. Jackson has prepared a videotape which introduces the TI-graphing calculators from which calculator to choose and basic operation through using the graphing features and tables. Furthermore, there are several commercially produced videotapes providing instruction in how to use the Texas Instruments graphing calculators. In MS 237, there is an excellent multi-tape series that covers most of the features of the TI-82/83/84 calculators as they apply to college algebra, trigonometry, and finite mathematics.