Should I buy a graphical calculatror?
Hi everyone,
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
A different type of calculator seems unlikely to impact on your grade.
Reply 2
Original post
by hihi_heiyiHi everyone,
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
Ask your teacher if they have any you could buy cheaper, often schools buy them in bulk so get a bit of a discount
Reply 3
Original post
by artful_loungerA different type of calculator seems unlikely to impact on your grade.
Graphing calculators can solve simultaneous equations, calculate definite integrals and do lots of stats stuff that normal calculators cant do. Theyre really useful for a level maths, if only to check work and save time.
(edited 3 weeks ago)
Original post
by DerDracologeGraphing calculators can solve simultaneous equations, calculate definite integrals and do lots of stats stuff that normal calculators cant do. Theyre really useful for a level maths, if only to check work and save time.
I know, I have used graphing calculators before.
Unless they're specifically required by the exam I would anticipate the exam is written such that those with a graphing calculator (if it's even permitted) don't have an unfair advantage.
Reply 5
I think a graphical calculator is not necessary for improving one's grade. A lot of them are programmable which means they are inherently disallowed by regulations. Even if they are not programmable, many of their features are complete overkill for A Level, especially single maths. A standard Casio is more than enough.
Reply 6
Original post
by hihi_heiyiHi everyone,
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
A graphical calculator won’t help that much tbh. Sure parametric equations are a hard topic, but they’re like one topic out of goodness knows how many - they’ll make at most one question on it and even then, there’s a good chance something like parametric integration or parametric differentiation will be assessed rendering it basically useless.
I think paying £100 for a slim chance at gaining a few extra marks is an injudicious choice, when you can just attempt, mark and review past paper questions at the expense some of time only.
Reply 7
Original post
by DerDracologeGraphing calculators can solve simultaneous equations, calculate definite integrals and do lots of stats stuff that normal calculators cant do. Theyre really useful for a level maths, if only to check work and save time.
At least for these things, you don't need specifically a graphing calculator.
E.g., a Casio fx-991ex does all that (as I presume is the case too for its replacement), is non-graphical, and was (a very reasonable) ~£20 a few years ago.
I think it is only the pretty pictures which graphing calculators have up on it in an exam setting. I don't remember any examples from my exams where graphing calculators were better, and outside of an exam the more advanced things you could do are easier to do on a computer.
Reply 8
I currently have a Casio cg50 and I actually think it makes a huge difference especially in stats for topicslike hypothesis testing etc. For pure u can use them for definite integrals, finding the 1st and 2nd derivativeand plotting and analysing graphs. It doesn’t make the questions any easier but u do end up saving a lot oftime which can actually gain u more than a few marks in an exam. For context I’m also predicted A* inmaths a level. Also I got it for 75 on ebay new
Reply 9
Original post
by JdjshjejjsjajjI currently have a Casio cg50 and I actually think it makes a huge difference especially in stats for topicslike hypothesis testing etc. For pure u can use them for definite integrals, finding the 1st and 2nd derivativeand plotting and analysing graphs. It doesn’t make the questions any easier but u do end up saving a lot oftime which can actually gain u more than a few marks in an exam. For context I’m also predicted A* inmaths a level. Also I got it for 75 on ebay new
It is not difficult to use either.
Original post
by hihi_heiyiHi everyone,
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
I would buy one. But it would be worth checking (maybe with your school) to see if there is anywhere where you can buy one cheaper.
I know when i attempted maths at 6th form, we could buy them through the school. They were cheaper through the school.
Reply 11
@Muttley79 - your thoughts?
Reply 12
Original post
by hihi_heiyiHi everyone,
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
I would suggest that it's too late if you are in Year 13. We do bulk buy for Year 12s which saves them money and VAT - so much less than £100. You neeed to spend time getting familiar with what it can do and what is worth learning now. Time spent learning how to use the caluclator well and quickly might be better spent on revision. Does your school have a class set you can try? This is what we do early on so students make an informed choice. [state school Maths teacher]
Exam boards have a list of which are allowed in an exam so do check that first and some unis won't allow them at all.
Thanks @TypicalNerd for the tag.
Reply 13
Original post
by TheEccentricDuckI think a graphical calculator is not necessary for improving one's grade. A lot of them are programmable which means they are inherently disallowed by regulations. Even if they are not programmable, many of their features are complete overkill for A Level, especially single maths. A standard Casio is more than enough.
A standard Casio needs to copy with the large data set . so not all of them.
Reply 14
Original post
by hihi_heiyiHi everyone,
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
As A levels are approaching, I think it's the time to decide whether I should buy a graphical calculator for my exams.
I don't do fm and my predicted grade for maths is A*. The questions are getting more complicated and annoying since I started learning parametrics and calculus. However, I doubt if it worths 100 pounds to learn and familiarize how to use a brand new calculator in a short time, whereas I'll be glad that if this 100 pounds could firmly secure my A*.
btw theres a couple of these you can use online, i use the one on numworks when i forget to bring mine to school. you could try it and see if it helps ig
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