[FO12DY]

I find it quite funny that certain models are banned due to the ability for them to carry out certain functions; surely education should be considered training for professionalism - and what engineer (for example) would refuse a calculator on the basis that he might be able to do it in his head?

We've invented the technology to do the sums for us - modern mathematics should teach us how to do it, why it works (including how to do it) and we should be tested on our ability to use the tools available to calculate the answer.



I use an FX-991ES P, and it's not banned. But I can solve algebraic, simultaneous and even logarithmic equations without any rearranging. It goes straight in from the exam question.

But the exam question might be worth say 4 marks. Maybe if I tap it in, get an answer, I'll get 1 mark.

Why does that make sense? In the real world, solutions matter - not each stage of getting to the solution (unless you're running back through because you made a mistake) - so why is education for he real world no based on practices that are practiced (hmm) in the real world?



I could go on and on - and the point of course extends well beyond the use of calculators, in all subjects education should follow the practice of industry: it may be expensive but it's damn worth it if we'd like to continue to be a nation with some of the most outstanding scientists, engineers, and academics.



Calculators is the worst sin though. Why not use what's there?

Perhaps I'll borrow a sine rule from my dad - or my mum's abacus - to use in the exams in January.

[CloClo7]

Is the TI-82 Stats okay for use in exams?

[Mr Tough]

LOL our school advised us to get the calculator which can integrate as a back up in the exam (even though I can do calculus comfortably, why not make sure!)

[Pandora.]

We get given calculators by school, so all's good.

[FO12DY]

Couple of questions:


1) Is the TI-nspire CX CAS banned?

2) Is the TI-nspire CX (non-CAS) okay?


I guess it's like that but just want to check. Don't really want to wind up with my calc confiscated - but at the same time if the CX CAS isn't banned, I want it!

[iJess]

(Original post by Pandora.)
We get given calculators by school, so all's good.

Ours don't ;[ My mum had to fork out £16 for 2 calculators for me and my sister lol

[roflcopter123]

lol it doesnt matter THEY NEVER CHECK what calculator your using

[jilebinator]

is the TI-84 Plus silver edition okay for the exams?

[Hoody555]

I could have formula written in bright orange ink all over my calculator during my exams and no one would do anything. You have to love lazy lecturers..

[hevlar.kelmet]

My HP 39gs can do basic symbolic differentiation and integration but the college let me use it anyway, though thats probs because they didn't know.

[lvaru]

(Original post by Mr M)
Those people in the examination hall with you are called invigilators. It would not be unreasonable to expect them to be vigilant.

Your Centre could also be inspected by your Awarding Body during your examination.

In my day, you used to have to write the make and model of your calculator on the front of your answer book.

do you have the ocr c1 c2 papers please?

[FO12DY]

(Original post by lvaru)
do you have the ocr c1 c2 papers please?

Wrong thread buddy.

[In One Ear]

I have a TI-83 and i'm pretty sure (but not certain) that it can't perform symbolic integration/equation manipulation, though it does ofcourse integrate between limits, draws graphs and is very handy for FM as it will do sums involving complex numbers i.e. give me the answer to (1+2i)^2 if i type that in.

Is it banned or legal in AQA mathematics? Need a urgent reply please if anyone knows as i plan on using it tomorrow for two mathematics exams!

Thanks!

[FO12DY]

It's fine.

It's just CAS that's banned. Only models TI make (AFAIK) are the 89-Titanium and nspire (CX) CAS.

I believe CAS on the nspire CAS can be disabled in press-to-test mode, but I'm not certain.

[Chris P Chicken.]

Yeah they never check our calculators so therefore people bring in calculators from the banned list frequently. SIGH.

[Alientrooper]

Are graphical calculators allowed?

[Contrad!ction.]

(Original post by Alientrooper)
Are graphical calculators allowed?

Yeah.

Today, I was in isolation with a couple of other people because I had S3 and C3 at the same time. The invigilator read a book for the 3 hours of exams. And my graphical calculator's never been checked, even though it has a really obvious USB port on it that can be used for installing programs.

[FO12DY]

(Original post by Contrad!ction.)
And my graphical calculator's never been checked, even though it has a really obvious USB port on it that can be used for installing programs.

That doesn't mean it's not allowed.

Only criteria are:

• Symbolic algebra/differentiation/integration
• Ability to recall stored documents or formulae

[Contrad!ction.]

(Original post by FO12DY)
That doesn't mean it's not allowed.

Only criteria are:

• Symbolic algebra/differentiation/integration
• Ability to recall stored documents or formulae

Nope, I know - I wouldn't have bought it if I couldn't use it. I'm saying that the USB port allows me to download stuff that isn't allowed, and the invigilators have never checked that I've cleared the memory. Before the exams, I had some notes stored on it, as well as symbolic differentiation/integration.

[FO12DY]

(Original post by Contrad!ction.)
Nope, I know - I wouldn't have bought it if I couldn't use it. I'm saying that the USB port allows me to download stuff that isn't allowed, and the invigilators have never checked that I've cleared the memory. Before the exams, I had some notes stored on it, as well as symbolic differentiation/integration.

Oh okay.

Same deal with my nspire, it has a 'Press-to-Test mode', I've always used it but I've never been questioned about it.

I had spreadsheets stored for Statistics, until I took S1 and read "no retrievable docs" on the front, so I used PTT then and have since.