Graphing Calculators have assisted professional engineers and scientists since their invention. By the mid 80’s graphing calculators had replaced abacuses in the pockets of professionals, offering transportable and easy computation and manipulation of data.

Many students don’t realize how beneficial a graphing calculator is in math courses. Graphing calculators are recommended for math courses from pre-algebra onward, and college programs involving physics, calculus or statistics often require a graphing calculator. Successful high schools are offering class sets or requiring students to purchase a graphing calculator, so that students can familiarize themselves with the tool. Students can use the easy computation and manipulation of a graphing calculator during their Sat, Act, or AP placement tests to enhance their calculus abilities.

Graphing Calculators are similar to a laptop computer in many aspects, but are much lighter and less expensive.
Graphing calculators hold many types of data in the on board memory, including gathered statistics, games, notes, and mathematical functions. Manufacturers offer free software that can be used on the calculators they produce, from games programs to advanced tools that enhance calculus abilities. Graphing calculators are equipped with a larger screen than a standard calculator that users to see a visual representation of the work, and they display charts and graphs of data that users can easily manipulate. Calculator data can be saved to other graphing calculators or input in computer programs. Graphing calculators perform complex mathematical functions that standard laptops don’t without additional software.

Graphing Calculators are an invaluable tool for today’s students because they offer easy computation and manipulation of data, a significantly wider range of functions than standard calculators, and are less expensive than a laptop. Users can define their own formulas and inputs that enhance the calculator with increased calculus abilities, making them a necessary tool for college-bound students.