Best Calculators Available for Highschool or College Math Classes

Martin McSweeney

The best calculators for High School and University Math Classes are made by Texas Instruments. Though there are a few out there that might have the same functionality or cost less, the TI family of calculators is the golden standard.

 

The top 3 best calculators for high school and university use are:

  1. TI-36X Pro: This is the best scientific calculator.
  2. TI-84+ CE: This is the best graphing calculator.
  3. TI-Nspire CX CAS: This is the best calculator with a computer / calculator algebra system.

 

The Best Scientific Calculator: TI-36X Pro

The TI-36X Pro wins the best scientific calculator debate. Though it is disallowed for the SAT and possibly not allowed for classes limited to 2-line readouts (the TI-36X Pro has a 4-line screen), it is amazing.

High Marks:

  1. Costs $20 and is solar-powered
  2. Makes tables of equations
  3. Solves systems of equations quickly via matrix mode

 

The Best Graphing Calculator: TI-84+ CE

Yes, this is where I consider there is room for debate about graphing calculators.

It is my favorite because:

  1. Is allowed on SAT and AP exams.
  2. Can graph multiple equations and inequalities on the same graph.
  3. Has a periodic table in its apps that cannot be blocked with a memory reset.
  4. Has a unit converter which is excellent for chemistry and physics classes.
  5. Is programmable; you can download programs off the internet or from friends.

Though there are other calculators with the same or almost the same functionality, the popularity of the TI-84 makes it the best. The sheer ubiquity of the calculator makes it easier to learn. And, it makes the programs more accessible.

 

TI Nspire CX CAS: Best Calculator for Classes Allowing CAS

The illegal calculator. Engineers only. Skynet. Be warned: this calculator is most likely not allowed in your class unless you're a college or engineering student.

If you can use this calculator in your high school or university class, you can:

  1. Graph
  2. Solve (most) equations
  3. Differentiate, both derivatives at a point and general form of the derivative.
  4. Integrate both definite and indefinite integrals.

Learning how to use the TI-Nspire CX CAS takes time, but it's quite worth it. It's a math-phobic's dream.

 For a primer on 98% of the functions available on the TI-84 Calculator, check out my Youtube Channel. My Youtube Channel provides over 300 AD-FREE videos on the TI-84. AND, 95% of the videos are less than 90 seconds long.

Though a table of values isn’t equivalent to a graph of an equation, it’s quite close. You only need to plot points from the X-Y (aka T-) chart in order to make the graph of your equation. This is the greatest function of the TI-36X Pro calculator.

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