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Which is the correct calculator?

Okay so i'm sitting the FP2 exam in June and I've been told to buy a graphic calculator but my teacher isn't sure which is the right one. I don't want to buy one that I can't then use as they're expensive. Does anyone know which is the right one? (preferably casio :P)
Thanks!
Reply 1
Avatar for Toysith
Toysith
I know people who are targeted to do very well in a FP2 exam who don't have a graphical calculator... I would say it's down to personal preference and how good you are with graphs... Personally I don't like them cos I'm quite a fan of draw graphs... But if you must then Texas Instruments make quite a nice one if money is no object.
Hope this was helpful


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Reply 2
Avatar for Namige
Namige
17
Buy one from ebay. I got my Ti 86 for £21. I find it useful mainly because it has a large screen so I can see all my previous calculations. I've noticed that it can solve some (numerically difficult) integration problems that normal 'non graphical' silver casio calculators can't. FX 991 or something. So the notion that graphical calculators are completely useless is wrong. Just don't go spending too much money on one :smile:

Here's a good one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Texas-Instruments-TI-84-Plus-Graphic-Calculator-VGC-/130882358496?pt=UK_BOI_Office_Equipment_Supplies_Office_Equipment_ET&hash=item1e79324ce0
I had a Casio FX-9750G.
Cost about £20 at the time!
Original post by Namige
I've noticed that it can solve some (numerically difficult) integration problems that normal 'non graphical' silver casio calculators can't.


It's for this reason that -- unfortunately -- that calculator isn't allowed in A Level exams!
Reply 5
Avatar for Namige
Namige
17
Original post by placenta medicae talpae
It's for this reason that -- unfortunately -- that calculator isn't allowed in A Level exams!
It solves integration problems numerically. That is allowed. It can just do it better than the FX 991 which gives out an error if you enter particular types of integrals. The TI just takes a while to work it out, but it does it.

http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/61382-question-paper-unit-4723-core-mathematics-3.pdf
Read the cover.
Reply 6
Avatar for tory88
tory88
18
You don't need one (I got through FP1/2/3 without one and got A* at the end of it all). A friend of mine had the Ti-86 which seemed pretty good.
Original post by Namige
It solves integration problems numerically. That is allowed. It can just do it better than the FX 991 which gives out an error if you enter particular types of integrals. The TI just takes a while to work it out, but it does it.

http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/61382-question-paper-unit-4723-core-mathematics-3.pdf
Read the cover.


Turns out that you're right, but you might have meant to link to http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/69918-faqs-calculators-in-exams.pdf

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