A better calculator, for what?
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A better calculator, for what?
I have just been on the CALC-TI mail list for a few weeks, but I'm
struck by the number of questions about what calculator should you buy,
and should you upgrade to a 85,86,89,92 etc. Also there are those who
proclaim with certainty that you should get an 89,or ... These
exchanges are curious because there is almost no context provided,
except sometimes the statement that you are taking calculus or precalc,
and there are no reasons given (something more than a word or two, a
thoughtful argument with enough details to be understandable if not
believable) for why certain calculators are being recommended. I have
used an 81, 82, and 83, but not a lot, and I don't see why I should
suggest to my calculus students that they really should have an 86 or 89
or whatever. For the occasional need for more power or bettter graphics,
or to use interactive math workbooks, of course one turns to a computer
algebra system with a reasonable size monitor.
I would like to hear from those who make strong recommendations in favor
of the 86 or 89 or 92 - and not just one-liners, but carefully thought
out, detailed responses. And don't tell me about games, I'm only
interested in arguments about calculator use for learning and doing math
in school and college. (Well, I might listen if you spin a serious
thesis about the role of certain kinds of games.) What more is it that
you want that the 82 or 83 doesn't provide, and why? And why wouldn't
this "more" be better provided by a CAS on a PC?
--
Ladnor Geissinger, Prof of Mathematics
Mathematics Dept, CB 3250 Phillips Hall
Univ of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
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